New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience

The Hydro Chamber of Commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, announced the village had received a $496,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to build a "Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience." It will be built at the four-way stop at Route 66 and Highway 58, the north-south road leading into Hydro, and yards off … Continue reading Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience

OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther

A University of Oklahoma team recently received funding from the nonprofit Oklahoma Humanities organization to develop a Route 66 Placemaking Communities Retreat that includes a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma. The team also wants to develop a Route 66-themed design experience in Hydro, Oklahoma. The efforts are being done before Route … Continue reading OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther

Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado

The landmark Lucille's Service Station along Route 66 near Hydro, Oklahoma, sustained moderate damage from a tornado, but a nearby office building designed to look like the original motel was more ravaged. KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City shot footage from a helicopter of the site. As you can see, the original station suffered a little … Continue reading Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado

Clinton agency approves plan to renovate Glancy Motel, Pops Hicks properties

The Clinton Economic Development Authority during a special meeting Tuesday approved a $7.75 million plan to renovate the historic Glancy Motel and adjoining Pops Hicks restaurant properties in Clinton, Oklahoma. According to the Clinton Daily News, local oilman Rick Koch presented the proposal: The proposal includes renovating the Glancy and Pop Hicks to their historic … Continue reading Clinton agency approves plan to renovate Glancy Motel, Pops Hicks properties

More 1990s videos on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac

Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos from his 1990s trips on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The videos hold historical value because a number of the places where he visited have vanished or have drastically changed. Reichardt's YouTube channel is here, where more than 50 videos are posted. He posted a video a couple … Continue reading More 1990s videos on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac

More 1993 footage from Route 66

Anthony Reichardt has posted more videos from a 1993 journey he took on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The first is a visit with the legendary Lucille Hamons at Lucille's near Hydro, Oklahoma, a few years before her death in 2000 and subsequent closure of the gas station. The station, built in 1929, remains … Continue reading More 1993 footage from Route 66

New office building goes up next to Lucille’s gas station

Ken Turmel of PostmarkArt fame recently was traveling old Route 66 in western Oklahoma and noted a new building had been constructed in place of the long-closed Hamons Court motel next to the historic Lucille's gas station near Hydro. He posted these photos of the new building on his Facebook page: From this photo by Carleta Latham in 2006, you … Continue reading New office building goes up next to Lucille’s gas station

Longevity on Route 66 runs in her family

Those familiar with the history of Route 66 know of the late Lucille Hamons and her Lucille's gas station near Hydro, Okla., that she ran for nearly 60 years. But you may not be familiar with one of Lucille's daughters, Delpha Dene Martin, who soon will enter her 50th year of running a business on … Continue reading Longevity on Route 66 runs in her family