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

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced six grants this year totaling about $165,000 to varying historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretative and educational projects. I noticed the grant awards this year were capped at $30,000. Still, 30 grand is 30 grand. Here are the grant awards: Round Barn siding repair in Arcadia, OklahomaApplicant: Arcadia Historical … Continue reading Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita

Groundbreaking is scheduled for Oct. 30 for a gigantic campground near Vinita, Oklahoma, that will feature 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins. The Three Ponies RV Park and Campground is the first part of a planned $2 billion theme park just off Route 66, reported the Tulsa World. The groundbreaking for the RV park was … Continue reading Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita

Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

The first Buc-ee's store on Route 66 reportedly is set to open late this year in Springfield, Missouri. Another Buc-ee's site in Amarillo, Texas, will break ground on Oct. 26. The Springfield News-Leader reports the Buc-ee's on the northeast side of the city is holding a mass hiring event this week. The company expects to … Continue reading Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

City of Tulsa now offering facade matching grants for historic buildings along Route 66

The City of Tulsa announced it is offering matching grants of up to $40,000 to help restore the facades of historic buildings along its Route 66 alignments. The grant program was established with the help of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. The announcement was made at the historic Circle Cinema, which undoubtedly would be eligible … Continue reading City of Tulsa now offering facade matching grants for historic buildings along Route 66

Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

The Downtown Joplin Alliance in Joplin, Missouri, this month will ask for redevelopment proposals for the city's long-closed Union Depot and assess them in February. A consultant estimated the cost of restoring the century-old site would be $6.7 million, though others have estimated it as high as $10 million. Among the ideas for the depot … Continue reading Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

World’s largest flip-flop planned at forthcoming shop in San Jon

Operators of a forthcoming flip-flop-themed gift shop in the village of San Jon, New Mexico, are planning something big -- namely, a 40-foot-long flip-flop designed to draw visitors off Interstate 40 and adjacent Route 66. It's the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team of Jumah Culhane and Caryn Grzegorek, who plan to open the Fun-Key Junk … Continue reading World’s largest flip-flop planned at forthcoming shop in San Jon

TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

TravelCenters of America will acquire Russell’s Travel Center along Route 66 near Endee, New Mexico, effective Oct. 11, though it will keep the Russell’s name and its museum for a few years. Russell's opened in 2010 on the ruins of the long-closed Longhorn II restaurant along Interstate 40 and a 1952-1980 alignment of Route 66. … Continue reading TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year

Tesla is close to opening a 24-hour diner, drive-in theater and supercharger station along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, reported Forbes magazine. In a recent tweet, Tesla founder Elon Musk stated: "Our Tesla futuristic diner (Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging) in LA should be ready later this year." Forbes dug up more details: … Continue reading Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year

Frankoma Pottery in Oklahoma will offer tiki mugs for the first time in more than 50 years

Oklahoma-based Frankoma Pottery Co. will host a tiki party this afternoon and Saturday to commemorate the creation of limited-edition tiki mugs, the first Frankoma tiki creation in at least a half-century. The tiki mugs will be debuted at 1 p.m. today and Saturday at Frankoma's store at 17117 S. Union Ave. in Glenpool, Oklahoma, south … Continue reading Frankoma Pottery in Oklahoma will offer tiki mugs for the first time in more than 50 years