This past month, two microbreweries have opened along Route 66 despite the economic turmoil and disruptions created by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic -- a sign of hope if there ever was one. Wally Kennedy, a writer at the Joplin Globe, noted that ray of sunshine amid the clouds during a recent column: So when something … Continue reading Two microbreweries open along Route 66 despite coronavirus disruptions
Tag: Joplin
Enlight Inn motel in Joplin renamed Westport Inn
The Enlight Inn, previously the long-closed Westport Lodge motel in Joplin, Missouri, that was renovated and reopened in 2017, recently was renamed the Westport Inn. Wally Kennedy, the business writer for the Joplin Globe newspaper, had the story in his regular column. Kennedy said the Enlight Inn at 3817 N. Main St. (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Enlight Inn motel in Joplin renamed Westport Inn
Joplin Hall of Fame athlete, restaurateur Gary “Cat” Johnson dies
Gary "Cat" Johnson, a former pro basketball player who returned to his hometown of Joplin, Missouri, to briefly open a Southern-cooking restaurant on Route 66, died Tuesday. He was 59. A friend of Cat Johnson's Taste of the South page on Facebook posted this message late Tuesday: According to the Joplin Globe, Johnson led Memorial … Continue reading Joplin Hall of Fame athlete, restaurateur Gary “Cat” Johnson dies
Mother Road Marathon goes on hiatus, perhaps permanently
The group that has organized the Mother Road Marathon that traverses Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri announced Thursday the race will "cease operations" because of declining resources and profits. Tom Rogers, CEO and president of The Twelveone Group that put on the 26.2-mile footrace on Route 66 from Commerce, Oklahoma, to Joplin, Missouri, stated the race's … Continue reading Mother Road Marathon goes on hiatus, perhaps permanently
Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau stated last week it likely would sell a 1920s-era garage it once considered renovating into a Route 66 visitors center. The city in 2014 purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (aka Route 66) and several adjoining lots for $18,500. The city spent nearly $5,000 more to repair the structure's … Continue reading Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
Hundreds participate in Mother Road Marathon
More than 500 people finished Sunday's Mother Road Marathon and its companion races. The 26.2-mile footrace that started in Commerce, Oklahoma, and finished in Joplin, Missouri, remains the only marathon that goes through three states. Preliminary race results indicate Scott Wilmes, 41, of Liberty, Missouri, was the top finisher in 3 hours, 6 minutes, 19.1 … Continue reading Hundreds participate in Mother Road Marathon
Ribbon-cutting set for Sunday for U.S. Bicycle Route 66
A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the establishment of U.S. Bicycle Route 66 in Missouri and Kansas will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Schifferdecker Park stage on the west side of Joplin, Missouri, just off Route 66. The ribbon-cutting comes at at time when two annual bicycle events on Route 66 converge on Joplin that … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting set for Sunday for U.S. Bicycle Route 66
Joplin baseball team’s new logo contains subtle Route 66 tribute
One of the proposed new names for Joplin's new professional baseball team was the 66ers. That name didn't win, but Route 66 figures prominently in the team's logo anyway. In an homage to Joplin's baseball past, the independent Southwest League team's nickname will be the Miners. Ballpark Digest explained the significance of the choice, which … Continue reading Joplin baseball team’s new logo contains subtle Route 66 tribute
Rebranding of Joplin’s East Town includes more Route 66 signs
The city of Joplin, Missouri, has embarked on a multi-pronged project to rebrand its historic East Town neighborhood, including adding new Route 66 signs along an original alignment there. The Joplin Globe reports new "Dreams - East Town" banners have gone up on light poles along the Langston Hughes-Broadway corridor (aka Route 66), which is … Continue reading Rebranding of Joplin’s East Town includes more Route 66 signs
Route 66 Chamber seeks to move into historic barber shop
The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce recently announced it seeks to move into the historic Dale's Ole 66 Barbershop in Joplin, Missouri. The main building also will host an art gallery. The chamber stated on its GoFundMe campaign and on a separate website that Dale's would would be restored so the chamber could use it … Continue reading Route 66 Chamber seeks to move into historic barber shop