Tulsa’s Route 66 sees upsurge in redevelopment

  I'd suspected this had happened, and it's been confirmed -- more than 28 properties along 11th Street, aka Route 66, in Tulsa have been redeveloped in the past decade. The Tulsa World newspaper over the weekend had the data: From Harvard Avenue to the Inner Dispersal Loop, 28 properties along 11th Street (also known … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 sees upsurge in redevelopment

Two hikers found dead near Amboy Crater

Two people hiking near Amboy Crater in Amboy, California, were found dead Saturday afternoon after apparently being overcome by the terrain's 113-degree temperatures. According to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, the people pronounced dead at the scene were Kathie Barber, 58, and Gen Miake, 60, a married couple from Yorba … Continue reading Two hikers found dead near Amboy Crater

Avalon Theatre in McLean torn down

The historic but long-closed Avalon Theatre in downtown McLean, Texas, was torn down Saturday. Leigh Ann Isbell of McLean, listed as manager of the nearby Devil's Rope Barbwire Museum in town, posted this photo on Facebook of the theater being razed, with a "Route 66 Roadside Attraction" sign barely hanging from a nearby utility pole. She … Continue reading Avalon Theatre in McLean torn down

Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

The city of Tulsa is working to set up a Route 66 neon-sign overlay district that would encourage the use and preservation of such signs. The Frontier news site, based in Tulsa, had the details: The city’s idea, patterned after a similar one in Albuquerque, N.M., is simple: make it easier to put up a neon sign … Continue reading Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

Logo to promote Route 66 in Tulsa gets trademarked

A nonprofit group that aims to promote Route 66 in Tulsa recently had its logo earn trademark status from the U.S. government. Russ Roach, president of Route 66 Development Group Inc., last year applied for the trademark, which contains a U.S. highway shield and the wording "the Heart of," a horizontal line, then the wording … Continue reading Logo to promote Route 66 in Tulsa gets trademarked

Sprague Super Service station reopens Saturday as Ryburn Place

The long-in-coming restoration of the historic Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, will culminate with a grand opening Saturday, where it will be rechristened as Ryburn Place. The station will be renamed after Route 66 enthusiast Terri Ryburn, who purchased the property more than a decade ago and slowly and steadily began to restore … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station reopens Saturday as Ryburn Place

Meltdown Diner opens on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa

The owners of the Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese food truck in Tulsa recently opened a permanent location on a historic corner of Route 66 in southwest part of the city, called the Meltdown Diner. Jim and Sara Hardcastle sold the food truck a few months ago and began renovating a 1949 building at Southwest Boulevard … Continue reading Meltdown Diner opens on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa

Fire ravages Country Classic Cars near Staunton

A huge blaze Tuesday night destroyed at least one building and dozens of old vehicles at Country Classic Cars near old Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois. The Macoupin County Sheriff's Office told KSDK-TV in St. Louis that 11 fire departments were battling the blaze, which apparently started shortly before sundown. No injuries were reported. Country … Continue reading Fire ravages Country Classic Cars near Staunton

78-year-old man is walking the length of Route 66

A few people walk the 2,400-mile length of Route 66 each year. Not many do, but it's not that unusual, either. But a man who's just south of 80 years old walking Route 66? That's unusual. M.J. Eberhart, an avid hiker by who calls himself Nimblewill Nomad. is walking west on Route 66 as we … Continue reading 78-year-old man is walking the length of Route 66

A closer look at NAACP’s Missouri travel advisory

The NAACP last week issued a Missouri travel advisory, warning travelers and residents about possible discrimination and attacks against minorities in the state. The Missouri NAACP circulated a travel advisory in June, and the issue recently was taken up by the national organization -- the first time the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People … Continue reading A closer look at NAACP’s Missouri travel advisory