U.S. Route 66 Centennial website launched

The launching of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial website was announced earlier this week. It aims to commemorate "the historic milestone of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and honor the Mother Road by helping the millions who live, work, and travel along it," a news release from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership stated. … Continue reading U.S. Route 66 Centennial website launched

Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced the third round of Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization grants totaling more than $5.5 million from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. Several grant recipients were already reported here, including to the town of Canute and the Bristow Historic Society. This is a complete list. "With the centennial fast approaching, more … Continue reading Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced

Canute awarded nearly $700,000 grant, including to restore Cotton Boll Motel sign

The town of Canute, Oklahoma, has landed a $695,000 grant through the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, state officials confirmed last week to KECO radio in nearby Elk City. Among the projects for the grant is the restoration of the iconic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign and repainting of the Washita Motel sign. Funds … Continue reading Canute awarded nearly $700,000 grant, including to restore Cotton Boll Motel sign

Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations

Springfield, Missouri, has been chosen from a national search to be the host city for the kickoff of Route 66's centennial celebrations next year. According to the Springfield News-Leader, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Springfield had been selected by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. As the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations

Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation

The seventh season of Fast TV Network’s "Legends of Route 66" has been recommended as an "Official Route 66 Centennial Project." Commission member Bill Thomas stated in the letter to the network: “Congratulations, Fast TV Network's Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven project has been recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as … Continue reading Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation

First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project

The first of 45 new neon signs coming to Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, was recently installed as part of the town's forthcoming Route 66 centennial celebration. Here's what the new sign looks like at night: Charles Palmer, one of the movers and shakers for the Stroud Route 66 neon project, told Route 66 News … Continue reading First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project

Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Route 66 Postcard Road Trip has been selected as one of 11 finalists in the Humanities category for the 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps competition. The Route 66 Postcard Road Trip was selected from over 570 submissions from student and professional storytellers invited to “build stories about the world they want to see.” … Continue reading Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

Albuquerque unveils website to count down to Route 66’s centennial, related events

The City of Albuquerque unveiled a new website last week that counts down to Route 66's centennial in 2026 and events related to it. The $34,000 website -- at visitalbuquerque.org/route-66-centennial -- was announced on Tuesday at the still-not-open, $13 million Route 66 Visitors Center on the city's west side. The Albuquerque Journal reported an opening … Continue reading Albuquerque unveils website to count down to Route 66’s centennial, related events

Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo to remain an annual event after 2026

The City of Amarillo's tourism department recently announced the Texas Route 66 Festival, which began last summer, will continue to be an annual event after the highway's centennial in 2026. The decision from Visit Amarillo came after the 2024 event proved to be a success and had a good effect on local businesses, reported KVII-TV … Continue reading Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo to remain an annual event after 2026

Illinois lawmaker files resolution to celebrate a century of Route 66 next year

A state lawmaker in Illinois has filed a resolution that would celebrate Route 66's centennial next year. State Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) filed the resolution that would officially designate 2026 as the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Year, reported WCIA-TV. Route 66 goes through Balkema's 53rd Senate District, including the towns of Dwight, Odell, Pontiac and Chenoa. Balkema touted the … Continue reading Illinois lawmaker files resolution to celebrate a century of Route 66 next year