Rik Blyth, president of La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was recently given the Hotelier of the Year honor from Historic Hotels of America, a program for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The 27th annual honor is awarded to those who demonstrate "the highest contribution to furthering the celebration of … Continue reading La Fonda president wins Hotelier of the Year award
Route 66 gateway neon sign on Central Avenue in Albuquerque is restored
The large neon gateway sign on Route 66 on Albuquerque's west side recently received a facelift. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports that the city’s Department of Municipal Development joined with Zeon Signs to restore the sign at Central Avenue and 65th Street. The company said they cleaned out the whole sign, repainted it, and added new … Continue reading Route 66 gateway neon sign on Central Avenue in Albuquerque is restored
Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission this week unveiled early plans and programming for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways. The announcement kicks off … Continue reading Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
Rand McNally named Official Map Provider for Route 66 Centennial
Rand McNally Publishing was recently named the Official Map Provider for the Route 66 Centennial. As North America's leading map and navigation company since 1872, Rand McNally will produce the Official Route 66 Centennial Anniversary Map — the definitive resource honoring the Mother Road's 100th Anniversary. This Centennial map will serve as both a travel … Continue reading Rand McNally named Official Map Provider for Route 66 Centennial
Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century
The neon sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat truck stop near Chambless, California, glowed again Saturday night for the first time in about 50 years. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route Association, was one of the people with his camera at the relighting ceremony: Here's a reel that shows the sign's animation of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century
Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield announced the launch of the online Route 66 Oral History Project, which gathered 100 stories about the history of the Mother Road before its centennial in 2026. The database includes video-recorded interviews, as well as world-searchable written transcriptions. Contributors include people who lived, worked and traveled along Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
Historic La Posada de Santa Fe hotel listed for sale
The more than century-old La Posada de Santa Fe hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been listed for sale. The property, which dates to the 1880s, is being listed by Hunter Hotel Advisors. Albuquerque Business First got the scoop on the story. The online listing didn't publicly list an asking price. But the … Continue reading Historic La Posada de Santa Fe hotel listed for sale
Route 66 designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
The American Society of Civil Engineers recently designated Route 66 as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. ASCE's board approved the designation on July 10 in recognition of the highway's centennial and its lasting contributions to American infrastructure and civil engineering. Initially established in 1926, Route 66 was the first paved, all-weather highway to connect the Midwest with … Continue reading Route 66 designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Storm-damaged Meramac Caverns barn near Chandler is restored
A small barn along Route 66 near Chandler, Oklahoma, that was damaged by a storm 2 1/2 years ago recently was restored. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association reported that the barn's roof and half of its mural were torn off during a windstorm in April 2023, putting it at risk of demolition. The Association sprang … Continue reading Storm-damaged Meramac Caverns barn near Chandler is restored
Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub goes live
The Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub was recently designated as an official Route 66 Centennial Project sanctioned by the Route 66 Centennial Commission. This new digital experience brings the history, culture and communities of America’s Mother Road to life through immersive storytelling, photographs and archival materials. Here's a video about the online project: https://youtu.be/XjCyd4RSWQA?si=FBSW8-bnMk5QbBOd Here … Continue reading Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub goes live