New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies

Carolyn Pendleton, a longtime advocate for the 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, died last week after being in declining health. She was 80. Pendleton was director of the Route 66 Visitor Center in Baxter Springs, housed in a former Phillips 66 gas station that was renovated about 15 years ago. In 2009, Pendleton … Continue reading Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies

Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17

Mark your calendars. Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, will hold an official ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. June 17 to celebrate several years of work on the former Texaco station. "It will have been almost 5 years of renovations; we have been soft open since March of '22 but come June we will be ready ready … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17

Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena

Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, has a new addition -- a modified Big Boy statue from a Big Boy Restaurant. Instead of the Big Boy carrying a hamburger, he's hoisting four tires. That seems to be an appropriate modification for a site that once was a Texaco station. Gearhead Curios owner Aaron … Continue reading Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena

Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

A fire sparked accidentally by maintenance work on Tuesday destroyed the 19-foot-tall Frecs the Miner statue along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, stated in a Facebook post that sparks during repair work on the statue's arm fell inside the structure and set it ablaze. Undeterred, … Continue reading Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

‘Yellow brick road’ marker added to old Route 66 at Kansas-Missouri border

Other than the nearby old State Line Bar, nothing vividly marked the line for Kansas and Missouri on old Route 66 for many years. Until now. The City of Galena, Kansas, and the Joplin Special Road District on Tuesday completed a project on old Route 66 that unmistakably delineates that border. They placed bricks in … Continue reading ‘Yellow brick road’ marker added to old Route 66 at Kansas-Missouri border

Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena

The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association on Saturday unveiled along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, a replica of the Lightning McQueen character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars." Lightning is part of the Luigi's Pit Stop attraction on East Front Street (aka Route 66) in Galena, along with several other "Cars" characters. Much of … Continue reading Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena

A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

A replica of Lightning McQueen from the "Cars" animated movie series will be unveiled at noon Nov. 13 in Galena, Kansas, on Route 66 just north of Cars on the Route near the historic Front Street Bridge. Renee Charles, one of the co-creators of Cars on the Route, posted a "Meet Lightning" event on Facebook … Continue reading A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

Gearhead Curios in Galena throws the switch on its new neon lighting

The owners of Gearhead Curios in downtown Galena, Kansas, on Saturday night threw the switch on the new neon lighting they installed on the gas station building and its Texaco sign out front. Proprietor Aaron Perry shot a Facebook Live video of the event and provided a brief tour of the Gearhead Curios' interior: Just … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena throws the switch on its new neon lighting

Galena launches a Route 66 brick campaign for its downtown Main Street district

Galena, Kansas, has launched a buy-a-brick campaign where buyers can leave a permanent mark on the city's downtown Main Street district along Route 66. The bricks, which start at $50, can be used to commemorate anniversaries, people, or organizations, with the option of adding a logo. Souvenir bricks that can be kept as keepsakes start … Continue reading Galena launches a Route 66 brick campaign for its downtown Main Street district