Albuquerque collector gets historic sign after it can’t move to Route 66

Lord knows Glorieta Station's burgeoning neon sign collection in Albuquerque has been cussed and discussed on social media for months. But its latest acquisition probably was the best outcome for a restaurant that was moving to Route 66. Monroe's Mexican Food on Christmas Eve moved from its longtime location at 1520 Lomas Blvd. to a … Continue reading Albuquerque collector gets historic sign after it can’t move to Route 66

Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa

The Cities Service Station in southwest Tulsa this week became the sixth recipient of the city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program to light the darkness. The gas station at 1648 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66), now home to Studio 45 Architects, was built in 1926, the same year U.S. 66 was designated. The Cities Service … Continue reading Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa

New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled

The Interparts of Tulsa shop unveiled its revamped neon sign Friday evening at 3615 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), one of several neon signs created or restored via the city's burgeoning Route 66 neon-sign grant program. The Interparts sign dates to the 1950s, according to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. It's the fifth sign … Continue reading New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled

Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs

The Tucumcari City Commission last week by a 3-2 vote rejected a landmark ordinance that would have added a layer of protection for historic neon signs -- a sign of how property rights make such proposals a tough sell. One of the commissioners who rejected the plan, Todd Duplantis, owns two Route 66 restaurants in … Continue reading Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs

Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa

A fourth neon sign that's new or restored along Route 66 in Tulsa came to life last week, this time at U.S. Studio 66. U.S. Studio 66 is at 5202 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), just west of the historic Desert Hills Motel. Other signs that are new or have been restored are Billy … Continue reading Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa

Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them

In a time when Route 66 advocates are discussing the disappearance of historic neon signs, an Albuquerque artist has taken note of that issue and is doing her own small bit of preservation -- painting images of those signs in case they vanish. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports about self-proclaimed "painter of history" Cheryl Godin: “My … Continue reading Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them

Roy’s sign in Amboy glows again for the first time in 30 years

The iconic Roy's Motel & Cafe neon sign in Amboy, California, glowed for the first time in at least 30 years during a relighting ceremony Saturday night. The event coincided with the Great Amboy Fly-In, Part 2, where private planes use Amboy's nearby airstrip. Here a video of the countdown to the relighting at twilight … Continue reading Roy’s sign in Amboy glows again for the first time in 30 years

Neon sign at Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge taken down for safekeeping

A collector of advertising, including neon signs, reported Wednesday the neon letters and other elements from the sign of the long-closed Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri, had been removed, leaving nothing but stone frame and foundation. However, the president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri reported the sign was taken down "for its … Continue reading Neon sign at Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge taken down for safekeeping

Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades

The long-dormant Sonrise Donuts sign that once stood along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, glowed to life Thursday for the first time in decades. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield restored the double-sided sign after the city purchased it in an online auction for $22,000 in December 2018. The signs sat on a rooftop at 1101 … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades

New neon goes up at Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa

The new neon lighting at the landmark Tally's Good Food Cafe in Tulsa went up a few days ago. Tally's new neon was the beneficiary of the city of Tulsa's Route 66 neon-sign grant program. A grant pays up to $10,000 for 50% of the cost of a new neon sign or restoring an old … Continue reading New neon goes up at Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa