Lilo Russell, a German native who owned the landmark Westside Lilo's Cafe along Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, for decades, has died. She was 83. Russell's death was announced on Monday on several Route 66 groups on social media, including the restaurant itself: Here's a video made by a traveler a few years ago who … Continue reading Longtime owner of Westside Lilo’s Cafe in Seligman dies
Longtime TV travel host Samantha Brown will feature western Route 66 in future episodes
Longtime television travel host Samantha Brown revealed in a recent interview that she will feature Route 66 from Albuquerque to Santa Monica in future episodes of her PBS show. Brown, who is marking 25 years on television, sat for an interview with USA Today before the season premiere of "Samantha Brown's Places to Love." It … Continue reading Longtime TV travel host Samantha Brown will feature western Route 66 in future episodes
Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield
The Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa will receive a $130,000 grant from the state's Main Street program to create a neon Route 66 shield and other neon accents. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced the grants earlier this month. Nearby Sapulpa also received one. The Tulsa World reported on the Kendall-Whittier award: The Kendall Whittier Main … Continue reading Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield
Forthcoming “Welcome to Tulsa” signs contain a subtle nod to Route 66
The Tulsa Planning Commission recently released renderings of signs the city plans to place in several areas before Route 66's centennial in 2026, including the largest that contain a subtle reference to the highway. The signs incorporate the city's flag design, but that's not all, according to the commission: The largest concept (Gateway Triangle) features … Continue reading Forthcoming “Welcome to Tulsa” signs contain a subtle nod to Route 66
Elmer Long’s son says he’ll “continue legacy” of Bottle Tree Ranch
Ellsworth Hayes, son of deceased Bottle Tree Ranch founder Elmer Long, a few days ago popped in at the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook to announce he would "continue his legacy" as the Route 66 landmark approaches its 25th anniversary. Hayes wrote: After he passed away from lung cancer In 2019, I basically went … Continue reading Elmer Long’s son says he’ll “continue legacy” of Bottle Tree Ranch
Wildfires destroy Will Rogers’ historic California home
Wildfires on Tuesday night destroyed the historic California home of Oklahoma humorist Will Rogers within the Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. More fires broke out on the northern edge of Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Travel along Route 66 in that region is discouraged, and many motels … Continue reading Wildfires destroy Will Rogers’ historic California home
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum contains a half-century of collecting
The Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum in Bristow, Oklahoma, is the culmination of one man's dream and his collecting of toys for over 50 years. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa interviewed Bret Fadely, who co-owns the museum and is its visionary. "All my life, for years, I've collected toys. I just wanted to share and make … Continue reading Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum contains a half-century of collecting
Historic tax credits rejected to convert Gold Dome in OKC into a music venue
A developer wants to convert the historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City into a music concert site, but he'll have to do it without historic tax credits or grants from the state's Route 66 commission. Instead, Mike Brown, president of Tulsa-based Kismet Koncerts, will seek $3 million in local tax increment financing to renovate the site, … Continue reading Historic tax credits rejected to convert Gold Dome in OKC into a music venue
Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work
The popular Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will take a break in 2025 because of a long-planned streetscape redesign on Dewey Street (aka Route 66). Organizers of the holiday event said it would resume in 2026, the same year as Route 66's centennial. The Route 66 Christmas Chute announced the one-year hiatus … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work