Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church

A local journalist recently acquired the former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church that stands along Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The church not only is known for being right next to the Mother Road, but it also contains a still-working neon cross atop its steeple visible from nearby Interstate 44. The church only is about 1 … Continue reading Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church

Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns

The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently fenced off the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, because of safety concerns about its deck. Gary Sosniecki, a key contributor to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, posted on Facebook about the situation: Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri said on Sept. 7, … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns

Three entities involved in Route 66 groups or towns win grants from National Trust fund

Three entities, including one dedicated to preserving the endangered Gasconade River Bridge in Missouri, recently received grants from the National Trust Preservation Fund. More about the bridge award from the National Trust's news release: The Route 66 Association of Missouri, Inc. was awarded $5,000 from the Kansas and Missouri Preservation Fund to hire an engineering … Continue reading Three entities involved in Route 66 groups or towns win grants from National Trust fund

Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring

The Route 66 Association of Missouri could take over ownership of the historic Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen by May or June. Gary Sosniecki wrote a report about the association's winter meeting at Route 66 State Park in Eureka for the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Association President Rich Dinkela and Vice President … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring

Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge

The Lebanon (Missouri) Parks Department officially is moving forward with a feasibility study to see whether it can move part of Route 66's endangered Gasconade River Bridge to Boswell Park, though it remains unclear whether the span will be torn down. According to a report by KRMS radio, the cost to move the bridge isn’t … Continue reading Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge

Part of Gasconade River Bridge may be moved to Boswell Park in Lebanon

The park board of Lebanon, Missouri, is considering a feasibility study of whether a portion of the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen can be moved to Boswell Park, though the future of the Route 66 span continues to remain unclear. The Laclede County Record reported in its latest edition (subscription required) that Lebanon parks … Continue reading Part of Gasconade River Bridge may be moved to Boswell Park in Lebanon

Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge

An official with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation expressed concerns about the process of possibly tearing town the Gasconade River Bridge in Hazelgreen, Missouri, that the Route 66 Association of Missouri wants to preserve. In a Facebook post on Saturday, association President Rich Dinkela posted a July 28 letter from Jaime Loichinger, assistant director … Continue reading Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge

Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge

A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist has written about the Missouri Department of Transportation's apparent unwillingness to deed the closed Gasconade River Bridge to the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Tony Messenger, metro columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, filed his latest piece Thursday. Messenger, who often casts light on local or state government's wrongdoing or indifference, … Continue reading Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge

Dinkela: Insurance dilemma for Gasconade River Bridge captures the attention of feds

The president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri said in a video posted Monday on social media that the state's requirement of unattainable insurance for the organization to take over ownership of the closed Gasconade River Bridge has attracted the attention of the federal government. Rich Dinkela began the Facebook post with this message: … Continue reading Dinkela: Insurance dilemma for Gasconade River Bridge captures the attention of feds

Missouri Association urges people to contact officials about the importance of Gasconade River Bridge before March 31

The Route 66 Association of Missouri issued a call to action to write to state and national officials before March 31 to persuade the agency to halt the demolition of the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. The association put out this Facebook video a few days ago about its plea: The association's website also … Continue reading Missouri Association urges people to contact officials about the importance of Gasconade River Bridge before March 31