A local preservation group seeks to convert the old Canadian County Jail in El Reno, Oklahoma, into a museum and education center by 2026, which is Route 66's centennial. According to KOCO-TV in nearby Oklahoma City, the Preservation El Reno group's Jail Restoration Committee wants to restore the 1907 building. The group began leasing the … Continue reading Local preservation group wants to turn old El Reno jail into a museum
Tag: El Reno
Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, is scheduled to reopen as a restaurant in June after it closed nearly a decade ago. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin noted early this summer that the sign for the Route 66 landmark had been spruced up. According to a recent story in the Yukon Progress-News, longtime … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers
Burger expert George Motz and chef Alvin Cailan recently paid a visit to Sid's Diner along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, to sample a regional dish -- the fried onion burger. The quest was part of the Burger Bucket List by the First We Feast channel on YouTube. The video also features the Meers … Continue reading Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers
City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66
The City of Lockport, Illinois, a few days ago erected a Route 66 monument sign that celebrates the city's dubious heritage with the highway and Route 66's approaching centennial. According to the Homer Glen-Lockport Patch, the monument was placed on State Street near the Metra lot. "To commemorate Lockport’s role in the Route 66 centennial, … Continue reading City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66
Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public
The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public
Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell
Swadley's Bar-B-Q last week filed a countersuit, alleging the governor and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, knew of the arrangement where the restaurant chain spent millions of dollars in inflated reimbursement invoices to upgrade services at several state parks. The Oklahoman newspaper reported some details about the countersuit: Among the claims … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell
Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract
The state of Oklahoma last week filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Swadley's Bar-B-Q, and Oklahoma Tourism chief Jerry Winchester resigned after he and the small restaurant chain were implicated over allegations of fraud and overspending with concessions at six state parks. The contract is being investigated by state police and is undergoing an audit by … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract
Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department this week canceled a state parks contract with Swadley's Bar-B-Q -- a regional chain with Route 66 roots -- “due to suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the contract for several weeks. The local district attorney and state auditor … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
Federal legislation would designate Chisholm Trail a national historic trail
The 19th-century Chisholm Trail, which crosses Route 66 in western Oklahoma, is being considered by Congress for national historic trail designation, according to the state's lieutenant governor. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, stated in a Facebook post a few days ago: No state can match Oklahoma’s heritage and history, … Continue reading Federal legislation would designate Chisholm Trail a national historic trail
First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 corridor appears to finally be getting a Buc-ee's convenience store, and it's coming to Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported the huge travel center will be built at Mulroy Road and Interstate 44 on the city's northeast edge. Mulroy Road intersects with old Route 66 on the south side of the interstate. … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri