Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition

A man who hails from the Launching Pad Drive-In's home base of Wilmington, Illinois, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to save its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant from possible destruction by its owner. The closed Route 66 restaurant's owner, Holly Barker, said on Twitter a few days ago she was putting the Gemini Giant up for … Continue reading Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition

14 neon signs along Albuquerque’s Route 66 receive improvement grants

The City of Albuquerque announced it would award 14 grants totaling $432,000 to improve neon signs along the Route 66 corridor of Central Avenue. More than 25 grant applications were received. Listed below are the winners. A few will be familiar to veteran Route 66 travelers. 5501 Plaza, 5431 Central Ave. NW Americana Motel, 5908 … Continue reading 14 neon signs along Albuquerque’s Route 66 receive improvement grants

Missourinet interview delves into the history of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific

Missourinet with its regular Show Me Today segment recently interviewed Ryan Lowry, the chief curator of exhibits at the Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center in Pacific, Missouri. Lowry reveals a lot of history of the former Route 66 restaurant you might not have been aware of. The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor … Continue reading Missourinet interview delves into the history of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific

Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month

A weeks-long project to repair the 120-year-old Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, was finished on Feb. 9. The general contractor, Holman Construction, said the repairs would add another 30 years of life to the Route 66 landmark. The cost was a little more than $110,000, with $30,000 coming from a grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month

Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa

Tulsa Fire Station 66 -- along Route 66, naturally -- acquired and restored a 1950 former city firetruck for a photo op at the station. According to News on 6 in Tulsa: The work took more than 3 years of work by volunteers, who rebuilt the truck that was junked about 15 years ago. "And … Continue reading Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa

Former Vegas wedding chapel sign christened in Kingman with three weddings

A new neon sign that once touted a wedding chapel in Las Vegas was altered and re-erected along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, with three weddings recently held underneath after a lighting ceremony. Here's a video from the lighting and wedding ceremonies that were held on the evening of Feb. 9: The Kingman Visitors Center … Continue reading Former Vegas wedding chapel sign christened in Kingman with three weddings

Papers of Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark are donated to OSU-Tulsa

The research materials of late Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark recently were donated to the Tulsa branch of Oklahoma State University. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post that Clark's papers were given by her family to the association several years ago. With the donation to OSU-Tulsa, the papers are now … Continue reading Papers of Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark are donated to OSU-Tulsa

Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard

The Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau recently began a "Main Street of America" video series. The first video, which dropped in the last few days, features Doc's Just Off 66 soda fountain and restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois. The video's hosts, Kevin and Emily, are understandably agog at the historic memorabilia on display at … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard

Couple acquires John’s Modern Cabins, Vernelle’s Motel in Missouri

A couple with close family ties to the shuttered Vernelle's Motel near Newburg, Missouri, also recently acquired the long-closed John's Modern Cabins property next door. They plan to convert the Vernelle's property into an RV park, using the now-abandoned Interstate 44 / Route 66 roadbed, and rename it Vernelle's Route 66 RV Park & Campground. … Continue reading Couple acquires John’s Modern Cabins, Vernelle’s Motel in Missouri

Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain

The fate of the distinctive sign for the now-demolished Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, remains uncertain, though the city manager said its likely home still would be the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, city manager Robert Johnston said he was hopeful the Glancy … Continue reading Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain