First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program

The Billy Ray's BBQ and Catfish neon sign glowed again for the first time in years Wednesday evening after city officials threw the switch. The restaurant's sign was the first to complete the city's neon-sign grant program. Here's a video from the scene by KTUL-TV: According to Public Radio Tulsa, the Billy Ray's sign had … Continue reading First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program

Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa

The two remaining neon signs for the long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were removed Friday, according to several folks on social media who snapped photos of the dismantling. Daniel Chavez wrote on Facebook on Friday afternoon: So long Club Café neon signs. I’m sure you were a welcoming sight for many travelers … Continue reading Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa

A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield

WSEC-TV, a PBS affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, recently posted a video tour of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield and talked with its enthusiastic owner, Ron Metzger. As you'll see from the 27-minute video, Metzger has collected all sorts of memorabilia from defunct Route 66 landmarks such as Shea's Gas Station Museum, … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield

Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector

The historic Grants Cafe neon sign in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down earlier this month after it reportedly was purchased by a collector. An exact date when the sign was taken down wasn't available, but Sam Fiorella said the sign still was up when she went through town Aug. 9. Blue Miller -- best … Continue reading Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector

Beacon Car Wash comes up with novel punishment for teen’s flag theft

The Beacon Car & Pet Wash in Pacific, Missouri, known by roadies for its reuse of a long-defunct Route 66 motel's sign, came up with an imaginative way to punish a local teen who'd stolen one of its U.S. flags. According to a story in Yahoo!, car-wash owner Bill Hoaglin found one of three large … Continue reading Beacon Car Wash comes up with novel punishment for teen’s flag theft

Two neon signs reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque

Thursday was a big day for neon signs along Route 66 in Albuquerque. One historic sign that was refurbished was reinstalled, and a reproduction of a badly damaged sign also was installed. First is the refurbished De Anza Motor Lodge sign at the historic Route 66 motel that's largely being redeveloped as part of a … Continue reading Two neon signs reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque

Sign at Fender’s River Road Resort shines again

The historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, shined again Saturday evening during a relighting ceremony. Here's a short video posted on Facebook by the good folks from Route 66 Navigation: Jim Hinckley also hosted an hour-long Facebook Live session before the sign was fired up. Colorado photographer and videographer KC … Continue reading Sign at Fender’s River Road Resort shines again

Signs taken away from long-closed Sahara Lounge in Santa Rosa

The neon signs for the long-closed Sahara Lounge on the west side of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were hauled away Thursday morning by an Albuquerque company. Richard Delgado, who lives in Santa Rosa, sent along this image of workers from SignArt taking down the last of the the signs. Here is a Facebook post from … Continue reading Signs taken away from long-closed Sahara Lounge in Santa Rosa

Manager chosen for future Albuquerque Route 66 Visitors Center

Bernalillo County recently chose a manager to run its eventual $5.5 million Route 66 Visitors Center on Albuquerque's west side. According to an article by the Associated Press, the county chose West Central Community Development Group to operate and manage the center on Nine Mile Hill. A perusal of the county's agenda packet reveals these … Continue reading Manager chosen for future Albuquerque Route 66 Visitors Center

Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield

The owners of the soon-to-open Kum & Go convenience store at a corner in Springfield, Missouri, that contained an original stretch of Route 66 pledged it would pay tribute to the Mother Road. It appears to have kept that promise. Jonathan Sharp posted these pictures on Facebook of an elaborate neon sign on the side … Continue reading Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield