Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey

The Route 66 town of Winslow, Arizona, soon will erect a life-size bronze of The Eagles founder and "Take It Easy" co-songwriter Glenn Frey at Standin' on a Corner Park in time for the annual Standin' on a Corner Festival. Tom McCauley, a member of the Standin' on a Corner Foundation board of directors, shared … Continue reading Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey

Two Route 66 sites listed on Missouri’s Places in Peril

The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation recently listed two landmarks on Route 66 to its annual historic Places in Peril, and two more were placed on the group's Watched list. The Route 66 Meramec River Bridge near Eureka and the Old Phillipsburg General Store in Phillipsburg made the "Peril" list. The Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and … Continue reading Two Route 66 sites listed on Missouri’s Places in Peril

Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website

Ahead of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival this weekend, the city of Springfield, Missouri, launched an interactive "story map" website detailing about 80 Route 66 businesses that once stood or still exist in the city and its outskirts. According to KSMU radio, the city's Geographic Information Systems division used mapping software Esri to create the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website

Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe

El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ended 80 years of family ownership when a Texas real-estate investment company recently bought the historic Route 66 motel. The Santa Fe New Mexican had the scoop Wednesday night: Terrell White, who had owned El Rey since 1973, sold the 5-acre complex to a company called Behringer, … Continue reading Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe

Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday

The owners of the Fanning 66 Outpost -- most famous for the Route 66 Red Rocker giant rocking chair -- announced Tuesday they would close the business effective Thursday because of "economic conditions." Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro posted this message on the business' Facebook page: Farewell from Fanning 66 Outpost, General Store, Archery and feed. Due … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday

Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural

A group of concerned residents seeks to restore the Virden History Mural in Virden, Illinois, on Route 66 that depicts the town's transportation history. City officials dedicated the 52-by-19-foot mural by Greenville College professor John Hubbell in 2004. But it's encountered hard times recently, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Illinois weather has been hard on the mural, said Suzanne Gray, … Continue reading Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural

More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road

Additional information emerged over the weekend about the oft-reported Route 66 Welcome Center solar road that will be installed near Conway, Missouri. The solar panels will be laid on a 12-by-20-foot section of sidewalk, not road surface, at the Route 66-themed rest area off Interstate 44, reported the Kansas City Star. “We want to start kind of smaller and … Continue reading More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road

Melvena Heisch, Laurel Kane inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Melvena Heish and the late Laurel Kane were inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. The ceremony also celebrated the 90th anniversary of Route 66 and marked two new exhibits at the museum -- one about folk art and another of … Continue reading Melvena Heisch, Laurel Kane inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign

A broken sign for a Springfield, Missouri, church found new life. That's thanks to a pastor who is a Route 66 fan. The South Side Baptist Church sign sits at 465 S. Grant Ave., just a few blocks south of the College Street alignment of Route 66 in Springfield. The church is marking its 75th year. The church's sign once was lighted, with the largest … Continue reading Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign

St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse named to National Register

The St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse on a corner of Route 66 near downtown was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register listing became effective July 28, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The structure also is known as the Robert A. Young Federal Building, or RAY … Continue reading St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse named to National Register