Two professors from the University of New Mexico were given a state preservation award for saving hundreds of old drawings from the state's oldest neon-sign company. Many of them mock-ups of signs eventually were installed on Route 66. The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division honored Ellen Babcock and Mark Childs in the Heritage Publication division … Continue reading Professors honored for preserving vintage neon-sign drawings
Month: May 2017
The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
The historic neon sign for the now-gone The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, may return to a parking lot at a McDonald's along Route 66 by spring 2018. That scenario became more likely after the city approved an easement with Franchise Realty Investment Trust on behalf of the McDonald’s to install the sign at the lot … Continue reading The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
Book review: “The Route 66 Adventure Handbook” (fifth edition)
Bigger and better. That's the takeaway from Drew Knowles' fifth edition of his "Route 66 Adventure Handbook." Knowles keeps adding new things to new editions of his book, which comes out every five years or so. Knowles' first "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" in 2001 contained 240 pages. Subsequent editions swelled to 272, 384 and 431 … Continue reading Book review: “The Route 66 Adventure Handbook” (fifth edition)
Sleep overnight in a caboose on Route 66
Are you a railroad buff who'd love to travel Route 66? A KOA campground in Eureka, Missouri, has just the thing for you -- a railroad caboose that recently was renovated for use for overnight travelers. KSDK-TV in St. Louis produced a story about the tricked-out caboose offered by the St. Louis West / Historic 66 … Continue reading Sleep overnight in a caboose on Route 66
University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project
Missouri State University received a grant to help gather oral histories for "The Women on the Mother Road in Missouri” project. According to a news release from the university, the $2,500 grant will be used in conjunction with a similar project: Anne Baker, interim head of special collections and archives at MSU, will work with … Continue reading University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project
1 killed, dozens of homes damaged by tornado in Elk City
At least one person has died in Elk City, Oklahoma, after a tornado struck the Route 66 city on Tuesday. KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City provided some other details about the destruction: Forty homes have been completely destroyed and between 50 and 75 homes were heavily damaged, said Danny Ringer, with the Elk City Fire Department. … Continue reading 1 killed, dozens of homes damaged by tornado in Elk City
Mural Fest 66 adds five murals to Miami in a few days
Miami, Oklahoma, wanted to add some murals to brighten up the Route 66 town. Thanks to the inaugural Mural Fest 66 last month, it added five murals to the city during a weekend. Here's a video of highlights from the festival: https://vimeo.com/216059105 According to a story by columnist Marta Churchwell in the Joplin Globe, the … Continue reading Mural Fest 66 adds five murals to Miami in a few days
How to help Devil’s Elbow
It seems as if relief efforts have gotten more organized in recent days on how to help the flood-stricken Route 66 village of Devil's Elbow, Missouri. The Elbow Inn restaurant and bar already has a crowdfunding site, but it also provided a list of materials it needs to help rebuild. If you live near the area … Continue reading How to help Devil’s Elbow
Route 66 festival returns to Lebanon after seven-year hiatus
The Lebanon Route 66 Festival in Lebanon, Missouri, will return next month after a seven-year break, including a concert and gathering at the historic Munger Moss Motel. The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society and the Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department are shepherding the festival, which is scheduled for June 16-17. The festival's theme will be … Continue reading Route 66 festival returns to Lebanon after seven-year hiatus
An overview of the western ends of Route 66
Justin Scarred of Randomland Adventures is a blabbermouth, but the surprisingly well-informed host explains the various western ends of Route 66 -- downtown Los Angeles, Olympic and Lincoln boulevards in Santa Monica and, finally, the traditional end at the Santa Monica Pier. https://youtu.be/84XY0JRCbEM A bit of news: A Mel's Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic in … Continue reading An overview of the western ends of Route 66