Design for Albuquerque’s Rail Trail includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed

The City of Albuquerque several days ago unveiled the design for its Rail Trail that includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed. The Albuquerque Journal reports the 7-mile, $60 million walkway and cycling trail that will circle downtown will highlight the history of the railroad and Route 66. The city hopes to begin construction by fall. … Continue reading Design for Albuquerque’s Rail Trail includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed

Neon lighting glows again at historic Boots Court motel in Carthage

The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, on Wednesday posted a photo of its architectural neon lighting glowing again. It was another sign that renovations on the Route 66 landmark were progressing. On a comment thread with the Facebook post, I asked the motel how it was coming on getting the rest of its … Continue reading Neon lighting glows again at historic Boots Court motel in Carthage

Neon relighting ceremony for Gearhead Curios in Galena set for April 24

The Route 66 Association of Missouri on Sunday announced a date of April 24 for the neon relighting at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. The new neon will involve several elements at the former Texaco gas station: Around dusk approximately 6:30PM on April 24th we will "flip the switch" and light beautiful red TEXACO and … Continue reading Neon relighting ceremony for Gearhead Curios in Galena set for April 24

Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena

The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money and matching funds for a campaign to bring back neon lighting at the former Texaco gas station that is Gearheads Curios in Galena, Kansas. Association President Rich Dinkela outlines the campaign in this video: The association will match funds up to $2,500, with the goal of … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena

Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April

The owners of Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, said on social media Thursday they plan to install neon lighting at their former gas station by April 21. The social media post included a rendering of the neon added to an existing photo of the site: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1124595541308380&id=550734662027807 Gearhead Curios said anyone who wants … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April

Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon

A restaurant renovating a building along an alignment of Route 66 in Pasadena, California, found a long-forgotten facade. The restaurant plans to preserve it and has "some cool plans in the works." Howlin' Ray's, which serves Nashville hot chicken, was doing a face-lift on the building at 800 Arroyo Parkway (aka Route 66) when it … Continue reading Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon

The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

KSDK-TV in St. Louis recently produced a story about neon signs along Route 66 in Missouri -- especially signs restored by the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee. The fellow behind many of these restorations is David Hutson of Neon Time in St. Charles, Missouri. Hutson said: “When people tour Route 66, … Continue reading The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon

Repairs to the hail-damaged architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, will begin by mid-July after Route 66 enthusiasts donated more than $4,100 for the project. Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce on Friday presented a check for $4,113.41, representing the proceeds of a GoFundMe campaign after a … Continue reading Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon

Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage

At least two Route 66 landmarks -- the Boots Court motel and the 66 Drive-In theater -- suffered extensive damage from a severe hailstorm early Sunday, mostly to their neon lighting. KTTS radio showed a photo of hailstones at least 2 inches in diameter that fell in the Carthage area. The storm injured at least … Continue reading Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage

Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”

"Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements" leaves little doubt it exists primarily as an image-driven book. After all, you have to show all these neon signs, banners and billboards that made an indelible impression on generations of Route 66 travelers and contributed to the road's colorful history. The book contains hundreds of photographs by Route 66 … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”