Floodwaters inundate Route 66 village of Devils Elbow

Floodwaters have inundated the old Route 66 village of Devils Elbow, Missouri, for a second time this decade. Jax Welborn, a Route 66 advocate who lives nearby, posted these shocking photos of floodwaters from the swollen Big Piney River soaking numerous structures there, including the closed Elbow Inn and the historic bridge. The flooding has … Continue reading Floodwaters inundate Route 66 village of Devils Elbow

Springfield considering ending the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

The City of Springfield, Missouri, is considering ending its involvement with the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival or halting it entirely. The Springfield News-Leader, following up on an initial report from the Springfield Daily Citizen of about 25 businesses complaining about the festival, reported the city is considering options for the event. The Citizen … Continue reading Springfield considering ending the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11

The historic Circle Cinema in Tulsa will host a rare and free screening of John Paget's film "Route 66: An American Odyssey" with a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker and the film's narrator and host, Michael Wallis. A reception will be held in the venue's lobby at 6 p.m. Nov. 11, with the screening at … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11

“BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum

The "BLVD" Cafe sign is back in the town where it once stood. The sign was on loan from the Duarte Historical Society in Duarte, California, to the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, for about 30 years. But after the museum closed earlier this year, Duarte historian Alan Heller recalled the sign was … Continue reading “BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum

Max’s in Monrovia will honor late Dodgers pitcher and customer Fernando Valenzuela

A restaurant along Route 66 in Monrovia, California, will honor famed Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, a longtime customer who died last month at age 63. Max's Mexican Cuisine at 1101 Huntington Drive (aka Route 66) will hold a tribute to Valenzuela on Nov. 12. According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, his favorite … Continue reading Max’s in Monrovia will honor late Dodgers pitcher and customer Fernando Valenzuela

Donnay Building in OKC largely being rebuilt from scratch

The historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City is almost entirely being rebuilt after its new owners decided its piecework, Frankenstein-like construction wasn't worth salvaging. The Oklahoman newspaper reports developer Nick Preftakes and partner Caleb Hill, after purchasing the property for $1.5 million, decided to gut the interior after assessing its long-ago additions, repairs and fire … Continue reading Donnay Building in OKC largely being rebuilt from scratch

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced four cost-share grants for 2024, including to the Osterman Station in Peach Springs, Arizona, and the so-called Ski Slope House in Daggett, California. Here are the details of the grants from the Nation Park Service: -- Osterman Station rehabilitation, $30,000 grant, $30,000 cost-share match. In 1929, Swedish immigrant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station

Huge theme park near Vinita likely will be delayed for three years

To no one's surprise, a multibillion-dollar theme park along Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma, probably will be delayed for three years. Mansion Entertainment, a company with ties to Branson, Missouri, announced in summer 2023 that it would build the American Heartland theme park and RV park by Route 66’s centennial year in 2026 and draw 5 million visitors annually. … Continue reading Huge theme park near Vinita likely will be delayed for three years

St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park slated to open in spring 2025

A long-planned St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park along the highway in St. Robert, Missouri, is under construction and scheduled to open sometime in spring 2025. The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau and Visitors Center recently posted this video of the neon park being built: https://youtu.be/3qQHZ3oDUKg?si=59YqL7yYWjMU1kYk According to the tourism bureau, the park will contain restored … Continue reading St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park slated to open in spring 2025

Grand reopening of Magic Lamp Inn restaurant appears imminent

The grand reopening of the historic Magic Lamp Inn restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga, California, after it hosted an invitation-only event earlier this month. The Route 66 establishment, famous for its neon sign in the shape of an Aladdin lamp that features a genuine flame from its spout, closed in early 2023. Its website set up … Continue reading Grand reopening of Magic Lamp Inn restaurant appears imminent