The city of Springfield, Missouri, will throw a free 92nd birthday party Monday afternoon for Route 66 from the downtown spot where the highway received its number in 1926. The party at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Park Central East in downtown Springfield will mark the spot when a telegram … Continue reading Route 66 birthday party set for Monday in Springfield, Missouri
Tag: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Route 66 projects included in Springfield capital-improvements plan
The city of Springfield, Missouri, will undertake more than 100 capital-improvement projects worth more than $80 million in fiscal year 2018, including a few Route 66 plans. The Springfield News-Leader reports the city council needs to approve the list next month, and the fiscal year begins in July. So it probably will be late summer … Continue reading Route 66 projects included in Springfield capital-improvements plan
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival attendance shatters records
Total attendance at the just-completed Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, not only broke a record, but shattered the old mark. The Springfield Business Journal reported total attendance over the past weekend was 53,000, which exceeded last year's record of 38,000 by an astonishing 40 percent. The newspaper reported: During the event celebrating … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival attendance shatters records
City of Springfield to promote car cruising on Kearney Street
In a historic reversal, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, earlier this week voted unanimously to promote car cruising along Kearney Street -- a prominent Route 66 alignment -- on certain Friday nights this summer. The city now will encourage motorists to cruise on Kearney Street from 6 to 10 p.m. the second Friday of each … Continue reading City of Springfield to promote car cruising on Kearney Street
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival announces additions
Organizers for rapidly growing Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, announced several new features, including the giveaway of a 1932 Ford Roadster custom-built during the event. The car will be called the Mother Roadster. The project will bring together the high-profile automotive community to custom build a '32 Ford Roadster. One person will win … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival announces additions
Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
A record 38,000 people attended the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, this past weekend. KOLR-TV reported 28,000 people attended on Saturday alone, with 5,000 on Friday and another 5,000 on Sunday. Vendors reported bigger crowd sizes, as well. About 23,000 people attended the 2015 festival. A record of more than 400 … Continue reading Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website
Ahead of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival this weekend, the city of Springfield, Missouri, launched an interactive "story map" website detailing about 80 Route 66 businesses that once stood or still exist in the city and its outskirts. According to KSMU radio, the city's Geographic Information Systems division used mapping software Esri to create the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website
Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign
A broken sign for a Springfield, Missouri, church found new life. That's thanks to a pastor who is a Route 66 fan. The South Side Baptist Church sign sits at 465 S. Grant Ave., just a few blocks south of the College Street alignment of Route 66 in Springfield. The church is marking its 75th year. The church's sign once was lighted, with the largest … Continue reading Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign
Springfield, Missouri, sees boom in hotel business
Springfield, Missouri, is experiencing a boom in hotel business so far in 2016, and it appears one big reason for it is Route 66. According to the KY3 station in town: The Convention and Visitors bureau says the number of visitors so far...and the number of hotel rooms occupied, has surpassed last year. Tracy Kimberlin … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, sees boom in hotel business
New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66
For several years, the town of Springfield, Missouri, has proclaimed itself as the "Birthplace of Route 66" and in recent years launched a fast-growing festival of the same name. Now it appears new historical research has deepened the link between Route 66, Springfield and its birth date of April 30, 1926. From a news release … Continue reading New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66