The owner of the closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, began work last week on restoring its long-dark neon sign. The work was detailed in an Instagram post: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Road Runner’s Retreat (@roadrunnersretreatroute66) High winds forced an early end to the day's work, but "we’ll … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat begins restoration work on its long-dark neon sign
Tag: neon signs
1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Tucumcari, New Mexico, never was a huge town. Its population never surpassed 9,000, according to the U.S. Census records. Regardless, Tucumcari during its heyday was home to dozens of neon signs, especially along its Route 66 corridor. Even now, about 25 neon signs still exist along the historic highway, in various states of repair. Several … Continue reading 1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Amarillo group gives Braceros Downtown a $20,000 grant to restore neon sign
The Braceros Downtown restaurant in Amarillo recently received a $20,000 grant from Center City of Amarillo to help restore its big neon sign. The Amarillo Globe-News reported last week the nonprofit organization presented Jaime Santillá, owner of the restaurant, with the grant after he completed extensive interior and exterior work on the 1927 structure at … Continue reading Amarillo group gives Braceros Downtown a $20,000 grant to restore neon sign
Native-owned Southwest Trading Company opens on Route 66 in Tulsa
Southwest Trading Company opened a few weeks ago along the 11th Street alignment of Route 66 that not only sells Native American-made goods, but is owned by a father-and-daughter team with Native heritage. MVSKOKEMedia recently published a profile on owners David Bible and daughter Ashley, citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) tribe in Oklahoma and of … Continue reading Native-owned Southwest Trading Company opens on Route 66 in Tulsa
Ozark Court motel sign to be restored, planned for Route 66 exhibit in 2025
A recent Instagram post answered a question: What happened to the Ozark Court motel sign in St. Clair, Missouri, that disappeared from Route 66 almost 20 years ago? A collector with extensive historical ties to the St. Louis region procured the sign, which he plans to include in a Route 66 exhibit at the National … Continue reading Ozark Court motel sign to be restored, planned for Route 66 exhibit in 2025
Artist shows how he brings dead neon signs to life with ‘augmented restoration’
A television station in Las Vegas shows how an artist with the Neon Museum has brought old neon signs seemingly to life, using what he calls "augmented restoration." The technology holds huge implications for the scores of inoperative neon signs along Route 66. Here's the report from KTNV: https://youtu.be/OX-9GL5y0qg The report explains how reviving old … Continue reading Artist shows how he brings dead neon signs to life with ‘augmented restoration’
Tee Pee Drive-In in Sapulpa offers a preview of its forthcoming neon sign
The Sapulpa Crossroads group offered a sneak peek of a 25-foot-tall neon sign that will be installed at the reopening of the Tee Pee Drive-In theater on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The organization also stated in a Facebook post the theater will reopen in April. In an ironic twist, a prospective operator of … Continue reading Tee Pee Drive-In in Sapulpa offers a preview of its forthcoming neon sign
Shamrock Court relighting set for March 19; motel likely will reopen in 2023
A few days ago, "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela texted me to announce an official relighting ceremony for a neon sign of the Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan, Missouri, that will occur on March 19, which is St. Patrick's Day weekend. Dinkela added this text: "Btw, I'm going to make an attempt to run the motel." Dinkela, … Continue reading Shamrock Court relighting set for March 19; motel likely will reopen in 2023
Rooftop letters taken down from Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge
The large rooftop letters at the closed and increasingly dilapidated Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri, were removed Monday and eventually will be displayed at the forthcoming museum and visitor center at the Red Cedar Inn in nearby Pacific, Missouri. Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman posted photos on Facebook of workers removing the large … Continue reading Rooftop letters taken down from Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge
Howdy Burger is 31st sign to benefit from Tulsa’s Route 66 neon sign grant program
The Howdy Burger restaurant on the 11th Street alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa is the 31st sign to be created or renovated through the city's Route 66 neon sign grant program. The sign is an animated design, with its main character tossing a lasso. Howdy Burger is at 1516 E. 11th St. (aka Route … Continue reading Howdy Burger is 31st sign to benefit from Tulsa’s Route 66 neon sign grant program