Roamin’ Rich presents an alternative option for restoring Sidewalk Highway

Roamin' Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, recently proposed an alternative option for preserving the nearly century-old Sidewalk Highway in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Dinkela, who owns a paving company in the St. Louis area, said in a Facebook video a few days ago he modified an earlier plan for the Sidewalk … Continue reading Roamin’ Rich presents an alternative option for restoring Sidewalk Highway

Four options presented to restore Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma

Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is considering four options for restoring the nearly century-old Sidewalk Highway, aka Ribbon Road, that once carried Route 66 from Miami to Afton. KOAM-TV presented the options in a recent report: OPTION #1: Widening- adds 16 feet to top width; keeps original concrete and asphalt section; rebuilds existing gravel shoulders into new … Continue reading Four options presented to restore Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma

Afton Station in Afton is up for sale again

The landmark Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, is on the market again after being sold at auction less than a year ago. A sharp-eyed Route 66 enthusiast noticed the property recently listed on Facebook Marketplace by Teresa McCoin. Contacted via Facebook Messenger, McCoin stated she wanted $174,000 for it but would consider renting out the … Continue reading Afton Station in Afton is up for sale again

County schedules meeting for March 10 on revitalizing Sidewalk Highway

Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is planning a public meeting on March 10 to discuss options on revitalizing and preserving the historic Sidewalk Highway of Route 66 between Miami and Afton. One of the possible options is a hiking and cycling trail, county commissioner Russell Earls told KSNF-TV. A partnership with Miami Parks and Recreation could mean … Continue reading County schedules meeting for March 10 on revitalizing Sidewalk Highway

County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail

Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is proceeding with a preservation plan for the nearly century-old stretch of Route 66, also known as the Ribbon Road or Sidewalk Highway, that may include a cycling or pedestrian trail next to it. KSN/KODE-TV reported: It will feature a walking, biking, and hiking trail alongside the historic Mother Road.Ottawa County Commissioner, … Continue reading County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail

Road crews destroy Horse Creek Bridge in Afton despite local opposition

Work crews for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation apparently destroyed the historic Horse Creek Bridge in Afton in recent days despite substantial opposition from residents and preservationists. A reader of Route 66 News in Oklahoma passed along a friend's photos of the razed bridge. The image was taken from a recently constructed temporary bypass bridge. … Continue reading Road crews destroy Horse Creek Bridge in Afton despite local opposition

New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there

The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants to put a Route 66-related business there but is unsure what type. So he's appealing to the Route 66 community for ideas. Louis Cox, a retired 22-year Army veteran from nearby Ketchum, Oklahoma, purchased the former gas station for $72,000 during an auction Saturday where … Continue reading New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there

Afton Station will be auctioned June 29

Afton Station, a closed landmark along Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, and its remaining contents will be auctioned June 29 after its co-owners died within a period of less than two years. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Thursday announced the auction on Facebook. The auction will begin that day at 10 a.m. at the station … Continue reading Afton Station will be auctioned June 29

Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today

Take a bunch of pictures, folks. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin a project today to eventually replace and remove the historic Horse Creek Bridge near Afton. The Miami News-Record in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, has the story: Public hearings were heard in 2016 regarding the Horse Creek Bridge, which was built in 1936 and … Continue reading Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today

Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away

Much of the late David Kane's valuable collection of Packard vehicles at Afton Station Route 66 Museum in Afton, Oklahoma, recently was sold and hauled away, adding uncertainty about the future of the station. Reports filtered in on social media that passers-by had seen the Packards being loaded up onto transport vehicles. Marlin Carpenter, who … Continue reading Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away