Teaser film out about Will Rogers, Route 66

A few weeks ago, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, announced it was working with Kirkpatrick & Kinslow Productions in nearby Tulsa to produce a three-minute film about the link between Oklahoma movie star and humorist Will Rogers and Route 66. “Route 66: The Mother Road” author Michael Wallis and Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, great-granddaughter of … Continue reading Teaser film out about Will Rogers, Route 66

Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum

For those who worried about the fate of the sputnik structure atop the doomed Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois, do not worry. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield removed the sputnik over the weekend and eventually will restore it for its neon museum that coincidentally opens today, according to the State Journal-Register. The fiberglass ball of … Continue reading Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum

Remington Rand Building in St. Louis added to National Register

The midcentury modern Remington Rand Building in St. Louis' Central West End was added to the National Register of Historic Places, effective May 5, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The three-story building, designed by architect Gyo Obata with the HOK firm and built in 1957, is located at 4100 Lindell … Continue reading Remington Rand Building in St. Louis added to National Register

Artist restores his Route 66 mural in Webb City

John Biggs, who created in 1993 a large Route 66 mural on a building in downtown Webb City, Missouri, has restored the landmark, according to the Joplin Globe. The mural on the Bruner Pharmacy building at Main and Daugherty streets (map here) portrays several landmarks on Route 66 from Chicago to Webb City. The location … Continue reading Artist restores his Route 66 mural in Webb City

Dead Route 66 travelers in Springfield identified

Two men traveling Route 66 by motorcycle who were found dead last week in separate motel rooms in Springfield, Missouri, have been identified. According to The Guardian newspaper in London, James Bethel, 44, former leader of the Eurasian Natural Resources Corp.'s copper and cobalt division in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gerrit Strydom, … Continue reading Dead Route 66 travelers in Springfield identified

Tourism group may take part ownership of Tropics sign

The Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County is considering an agreement with the city of Lincoln, Illinois, and original owners of the historic Tropics neon sign in an effort to finally restore it, according to the Lincoln Courier newspaper. The sign initially was donated to the city by the Johnson family, who once owned the … Continue reading Tourism group may take part ownership of Tropics sign

Two Williams businesses featured in ‘Hotel Impossible’ show

The Canyon Hotel and RV Park and the Red Garter Bed and Bakery will be featured in an episode of the Travel Channel's reality show "Hotel Impossible" later this year, according to the Williams News. "Hotel Impossible's" premise is hotels receive an extensive makeover by veteran hotel operator and hospitality expert Anthony Melchiorri and his … Continue reading Two Williams businesses featured in ‘Hotel Impossible’ show

Former Kingman Club reopens

The former Kingman Club tavern in downtown Kingman, Arizona, has reopened as The House of Hops, with its original neon sign from 1944 restored and glowing, according to the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper. Owner Stacy Thomson reopened the tavern at 312 E. Beale St. on May 1 after spending $2,000 to refurbish the sign in … Continue reading Former Kingman Club reopens

Women’s outdoors group traveling Route 66

Sisters on the Fly, a prominent women's outdoors group, is traveling Route 66 this month with 300 members at 11 scheduled stops, many of them in decked out, vintage trailers. According to a news release from the group: Since the start, many of the Sisters have famously renovated and decorated vintage trailers, which they use … Continue reading Women’s outdoors group traveling Route 66

Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race” taking place on Route 66

The Food Network reality series "Great Food Truck Race" currently is taking place on or near spots on Rotue 66, according to a report by the Havasu News, based in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This season's filming included a stop this past weekend in Lake Havasu City. The local newspaper had some of the details: … Continue reading Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race” taking place on Route 66