Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

Kearney Street redevelopment includes tearing down Springfield Inn motel

It looks like the city fathers of Springfield, Missouri, are pretty earnest in redeveloping the moribund Kearney Street corridor: They're tearing down the closed Springfield Inn motel to make way for it. According to KY3 in Springfield, bulldozers soon will raze that property to bring in new construction of retail stores to revitalize the area, … Continue reading Kearney Street redevelopment includes tearing down Springfield Inn motel

First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri

The Route 66 corridor appears to finally be getting a Buc-ee's convenience store, and it's coming to Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported the huge travel center will be built at Mulroy Road and Interstate 44 on the city's northeast edge. Mulroy Road intersects with old Route 66 on the south side of the interstate. … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri

Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale

The Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, has been placed on the market, along with its 25-foot-tall Muffler Man statue the owner commissioned the venture. KY3 in Springfield reports that owner Kirk Wheeler, who opened the food-truck park nearly two years ago, is wanting to retire, so he's selling that and his Mother … Continue reading Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale

Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year

The Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is marking its 95th anniversary its month, surviving all sorts of upheaval and trends, including COVID-19. According to the KY3 station in Springfield, coming through the pandemic was no small feat: Throughout the years, the theatre has survived the depression, World War II, and most recently the pandemic. … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year

Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Six projects, including four historic sites, will receive more than $103,000 in cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridon Preservation Program under the auspices of the National Park Service. The awards first were revealed Thursday in a social media post for the Road Runner's Retreat complex, which received a grant, near Chambless, California. Here are … Continue reading Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled due to COVID-19 upsurge

Next month's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, was canceled Monday due to concerns about an upturn of COVID-19 cases in the region. The festival, which typically draws between 60,000 and 80,000 people, was axed for a second straight year because of the pandemic. It had been scheduled for Aug. 13-14, including a … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled due to COVID-19 upsurge

City plans to reassemble a Lurvey’s Court cabin into a visitors center

A Route 66 Association of Missouri board member said the city of Springfield, Missouri, plans to reassemble one of the demolished cabins of the Lurvey's Court motel to serve as a visitors center at the Birthplace of Route 66 Park. KY3 in Springfield had some of the details: “The idea is to make a visitors … Continue reading City plans to reassemble a Lurvey’s Court cabin into a visitors center

Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield sees 895% increase in business from a year ago

In a sign of rapidly improving business on Route 66 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri, is reporting a spectacular rise in overnight bookings from a year ago. How spectacular? How about an 895% increase? Phyllis Ferguson reopened the historic motel at 2200 W. College St. (aka … Continue reading Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield sees 895% increase in business from a year ago

London Calling closes double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield

The London Calling restaurant has closed its British double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, so its owners can concentrate their energies on other ventures elsewhere in the city. London Calling, which started at another location along Route 66 in Springfield about seven years ago, purchased a 1962 Bristol double-decker bus … Continue reading London Calling closes double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield