Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project

The Town Square of Bristow, Oklahoma, is being revitalized by the town's historical society as part of a Route 66 Landmark Renovation Project. News on 6 in nearby Tulsa reported the society is building a new roof for the nearby historic depot. So far, all tiles have been removed for new roofing and the structure … Continue reading Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project

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

Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

The 114-year-old Santa Fe Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently reopened to the public after going through two years and $1.6 million in renovations. The depot is just a couple of blocks west of the 1926-1937 alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. And because many Route 66 fans also are railroad buffs, many … Continue reading Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove

The McLean County, Illinois, board recently approved an engineering contract to build a 4.5-mile addition to a Route 66 bicycling trail south of Funks Grove. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the county was chosen to receive state funds for the Route 66 bike trail starting in McLean and ending at an existing trail near Funks Grove. … Continue reading County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove

Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers

Two consultants presented a multi-use concept, including railcars as hotel rooms, a microbrewery and a Route 66 room, for the long-abandoned Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, in the hope of drawing developers that can resurrect the declining historical site. The consultants from Kansas State University and South Dakota State University gave the concept in front … Continue reading Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers

New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot

Community members recently brought up some ideas for the possible redevelopment of Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, including bringing back train rides. The Downtown Joplin Alliance asked about 80 residents to provide possible uses for the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. A group of students and faculty from Kansas State University and architectural students … Continue reading Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot

Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot

Wally Kennedy, a longtime reporter for the Joplin Globe newspaper, said it's "now or never" to do something to preserve the long-closed Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri. Kennedy wrote on Friday: "There is a new effort under way to save it. This is the way I see it: Time is running out for the … Continue reading Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot

Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge

A federal court in St. Louis heard the City of Carthage's appeal of a lawsuit ruling involving Union Pacific Railroad for its alleged lack of maintenance of bridges in the city, including the century-old Route 66 Oak Street Bridge, aka the Whee Bridge. According to the Joplin Globe, the city appealed a lower judge's ruling … Continue reading Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge

Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot

It's a business, but the McLean Depot Train Shop, housed in the former rail depot in McLean, Illinois, also serves as a passion for model train enthusiasts. The Pantagraph newspaper in nearby Bloomington recently published a feature about the train shop and the people who keep it going. Tom Ludlam owns the shop along Route … Continue reading Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot