Three entities, including one dedicated to preserving the endangered Gasconade River Bridge in Missouri, recently received grants from the National Trust Preservation Fund. More about the bridge award from the National Trust's news release: The Route 66 Association of Missouri, Inc. was awarded $5,000 from the Kansas and Missouri Preservation Fund to hire an engineering … Continue reading Three entities involved in Route 66 groups or towns win grants from National Trust fund
Tag: Oklahoma City
Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football
The nearly 90-year-old Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City remains a big focal point for high school football in that region. The red-stone facade of Taft Stadium, aka Energy FC Field, sits at 2501 N. May Ave. (aka Route 66) and was a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression era. It plays host to … Continue reading Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football
Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced last week it was giving a $1 million grant to boost bicycle safety along a short stretch of Route 66 from Edmond to Arcadia, Oklahoma. It was part of $21.8 million in grants for 33 National Scenic Byways Program projects, according to a news release from … Continue reading Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia
Local developer wants to restore the former site of County Line Barbecue in Oklahoma City
A local developer with experience in reviving old buildings has purchased the former County Line Barbecue site, also known for years as the Oklahoma Prohibition-era Kentucky Club, in Oklahoma City. The site sits just off the Interstate 44 alignment of Route 66 from the 1950s to the 1980s. It also is a short distance from … Continue reading Local developer wants to restore the former site of County Line Barbecue in Oklahoma City
Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
The historic Tower Theatre along Route 66 in Oklahoma City recently saw layoffs and a big management shake-up. The Lost Ogle, an OKC-based website that has broken a number of big stories over the years, reported at least nine people at the theater were laid off, others were forced to reapply for their jobs, and … Continue reading Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign
Oklahoma Tourism earlier in the week announced the launch of its "Imagine That" campaign where Route 66 features prominently in the mix. According to a news release, it is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 the agency has released a campaign of this scale … Continue reading Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign
Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist
Proper Meats + Provisions, a restaurant that took over the former historic Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, recently became a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for culinary excellence. Proper Meats, which also doubles as a butcher shop, was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category of the annual Beard Awards. The … Continue reading Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist
Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC
The popular Classen Grill eventually will reopen as the historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City undergoes extensive and long-needed renovations. Steve Lackmeyer's recent article in The Oklahoman newspaper provides a lot of details about what is happening to the Donnay, which for a short time was endangered by a proposed Braum's ice cream parlor development. … Continue reading Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC
Oklahoma City alderman seeks more protections for historic properties, including Gold Dome
An Oklahoma City councilman said he wants to identify and protect historic structures, including the Gold Dome on Route 66, after a landmark church was abruptly demolished last week. The distinctive, egg-shaped First Christian Church was torn down less than an hour after it was given a demolition permit, surprising many that included those who … Continue reading Oklahoma City alderman seeks more protections for historic properties, including Gold Dome
Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
The owners of the landmark Skirvin HIlton hotel in downtown Oklahoma City are preparing to put it up for sale, with half of the proceeds likely going back to the city. Marcus Hotels and Resorts joined forces with the city to renovate and reopen the closed, century-old hotel about 15 years ago. Steve Lackmeyer at … Continue reading Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market