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

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

Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project

Benjamin Moore & Co. recently donated a bunch of paint to the owner of the Road Runner's Retreat property so it could be used on its neon sign during the next workday on Oct. 21. Ryan Anderson, who runs the Facebook page for the defunct Route 66 restaurant near Chambless, California, said the donation came … Continue reading Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program opens its cost-share grant season for 2023

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program recently announced it has opened its cost-share grant application season for 2023. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, this year's grant funding total is $120,000, with a $30,000 maximum. Eligible grant opportunities include preservation planning, National Register of Historic Places nominations, preservation and rehabilitation work on eligible historic … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program opens its cost-share grant season for 2023

Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign

The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, announced it would hold a relighting ceremony on March 25 for its soon-to-be-restored neon sign. The Route 66 restaurant posted photos Friday of the sign being removed "so it can be completely refurbished back to its historical glory." The restaurant added it would be the first time in more … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign

Report: National Route 66 Center proposed at University of New Mexico

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is working with the Research Route 66 Consortium and theUniversity of New Mexico to explore the feasibility of establishing a Route 66 National Center there. That intriguing item was tucked into the partnership's third-quarter report. Audra Bellmore, a member of the consortium, is the lead person on the initiative, … Continue reading Report: National Route 66 Center proposed at University of New Mexico

Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Hemmings Motor News published a valuable story with the headline "What's behind the push to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail?" that provides a lot of background behind the initiative. It appears the story was prompted by Mobil 1's current "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" tour, which includes an online petition to support a national-trail … Continue reading What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Fundraising campaign launched to repaint Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign near Chambless

The owner and advocates for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, have launched an online fundraiser to repaint its neon sign. Those who donate $35 or more to the effort through GoFundMe.com will receive a T-shirt and a reproduction bumper sticker from the 1960s when the restaurant still was in operation along … Continue reading Fundraising campaign launched to repaint Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign near Chambless

New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video

The New Mexico Route 66 Association announced Friday it had received a cost-share grant to produce an instructional video titled titled "Do-It-Yourself Neon Sign Servicing and Repair." The association received $7,500 from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to produce the $1,500 video. The association gave more details in a news release: The association is … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video