The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Tuesday announced the release of a special, limited-edition collector coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. This memento is being produced in a run of only 250. Each coin comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Additionally, purchasers will receive a copy of the dated press … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association introduces centennial coin
Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday joined with other state leaders mark the kickoff of Route 66's centennial and announced $4 million in grants for numerous tourism bureaus to boost that effort. The announcement was made in Granite City with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Agriculture … Continue reading Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial
Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
The Joplin History & Mineral Museum in Joplin, Missouri, reopened last week with a new Route 66 exhibit after a month-long renovation. Here are images from Joplin's tourism bureau of the refreshed museum: Curator Chris Wiseman told the Joplin Globe that the face-lift comes during the centennial of Route 66, the 250th year of the United … Continue reading Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area
A new Route 66-themed sculpture was installed recently along the historic highway in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, one of more than a dozen along the city's Mother Road. KOB-TV of Albuquerque reported that the "Route 66 Throne" artwork features a colorful Route 66 shield with gas pumps surrounding it, along with a cut-out … Continue reading New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area
Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow
The Bristow (Oklahoma) Historical Society \announced that a lights-on ceremony will be set for the evening of April 11 for the long-dark Chrysler Plymouth tower sign. The ceremony will take place at about 8:15 p.m. The tower sign once stood a block or two from Route 66, but it has been moved to the Mother … Continue reading Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow
Michael Wallis among those to be inducted into Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame
Michael Wallis, best known for his bestselling "Route 66: The Mother Road," will be inducted this spring with a Lifetime Achievement Award into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. The induction will start at 11:30 a.m. on May 14 in the grand ballroom of the Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma in … Continue reading Michael Wallis among those to be inducted into Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame
“Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
A new exhibit, titled “Through The Windshield, Missouri’s Route 66.” recently opened in Columbia, Missouri, with more locations along Route 66 set for later this year. The exhibit covers Route 66's entirety in Missouri, from St. Louis County to Jasper County. It will feature rarely seen images, advertisements, postcards and other historical documents. Visitors will also … Continue reading “Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
Kirkwood Performing Arts Center screening a director’s cut of “Show Me 66” documentary
The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center will host a free public screening of the director's cut of the award-winning "Show Me 66: Main Street Through St. Louis" documentary on Sunday. The event will include storytelling and live music starting at 2 p.m. at the center at 210 E. Monroe Ave. in Kirkwood, Missouri. The Webster-Kirkwood Times … Continue reading Kirkwood Performing Arts Center screening a director’s cut of “Show Me 66” documentary
Springfield visitors center moving across the street from Gillioz Theatre
By mid-March, Visit Springfield, Missouri plans to move its downtown visitor welcome center a few blocks west on Route 66, across the street from the historic Gillioz Theatre. That's just a few weeks before the city's massive Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event that begins in late April. Mark Hecquet, president and CEO of the tourism bureau, told the Springfield Business … Continue reading Springfield visitors center moving across the street from Gillioz Theatre
New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer
The new owners of the historic El Don Motel in Albuquerque told a local news outlet they hope to have it reopened as a boutique motel within six months. Co-owner Randy Bowen recently told Albuquerque Business First (subscription only) that contractors are working on the facility's plumbing. Fair and Square Builders of Albuquerque is the … Continue reading New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer