40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66

The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, next month will install a 40-foot-long mural that honors that historic venue and Route 66, both of which will be marking their centennial in 2026. The Herald-News reports the Route 66 Rialto Twin Centennial Mural will be placed on the left side of the theater's entrance. Artist Dante … Continue reading 40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66

City of Albuquerque seeks millions in state funding for Route 66 improvements

The City of Albuquerque has requested millions of dollars in state funding for improvements to its Route 66 corridor, including its soon-to-open Route 66 Visitor Center. A report by KRQE-TV in Albuquerque and the city's own priorities list to the New Mexico Legislature provide the details on the requests:  -- $15 million to move Unser … Continue reading City of Albuquerque seeks millions in state funding for Route 66 improvements

Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, died Saturday less than a month after her appointment to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Her death was reported by the Springfield State Journal-Register after the Illinois Association of Museums announced it Sunday. She was 50. No cause of death was reported by either the … Continue reading Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, citing the success of the city's neon-sign grant program, recently announced it would launch a similar grant program for special events. The commission stated in a Facebook post the new program is designed to "encourage heritage tourism and economic development through special Route 66 events and to help Tulsa prepare … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events

President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission

President Joe Biden announced his intent today to appoint 12 people to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. The list contains several people that many in the Route 66 community would know well. Here they are, with short descriptions of each individual, though more extensive biographies can be found in the White House announcement: Caroline Beteta, … Continue reading President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Miles of Possibility Conference names Springfield, Illinois, as host city in 2026

Route 66's centennial still is a few years away, but the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announced this week it will hold its 11th event in Springfield, Illinois, in 2026. More from the news release: To celebrate the Route 66 centennial, the Miles of Possibility organization along with Visit Springfieldwill be creating a … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Conference names Springfield, Illinois, as host city in 2026

Route 66 Navigation app’s creator is planning a Route 66 Centennial Passport

Touch Media, creator of the Route 66 Navigation app and publisher of the Mother Road Route 66 Passport, announced this week it is planning a Route 66 Centennial Passport in time for the highway's 100th birthday in 2026. According to a news release from the company: As planned it will be sold separately from the … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app’s creator is planning a Route 66 Centennial Passport

State Historical Society of Missouri seeks memorabilia for Route 66’s centennial

Though the start of Route 66's centennial is still more than three years away, the State Historical Society of Missouri has put out an appeal to the public for items to celebrate that event. The society stated in a news release it launched the initiative "focused on preserving the road’s history within the state." Examples … Continue reading State Historical Society of Missouri seeks memorabilia for Route 66’s centennial

What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Hemmings Motor News published a valuable story with the headline "What's behind the push to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail?" that provides a lot of background behind the initiative. It appears the story was prompted by Mobil 1's current "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" tour, which includes an online petition to support a national-trail … Continue reading What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Oklahoma Route 66 Commission becomes law after legislature overrides governor’s veto

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission became law Friday after the state legislature overwhelmingly overrode the governor's veto on the measure. House Bill 4457, which promises millions in annual funding for the preservation and development of Route 66 through mid-2027 through the commission, initially had passed by a 72-6 vote in the state House and 39-6 … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Commission becomes law after legislature overrides governor’s veto