The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

KSDK-TV in St. Louis recently produced a story about neon signs along Route 66 in Missouri -- especially signs restored by the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee. The fellow behind many of these restorations is David Hutson of Neon Time in St. Charles, Missouri. Hutson said: “When people tour Route 66, … Continue reading The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations

World’s Tallest Gas Pump in Sapulpa nears completion

The 66-foot-tall gas pump in front of the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, neared completion last week with the installation of what will be a lighted medallion on top. Officials are billing it the World's Tallest Gas Pump, with the idea of the oversized landmark drawing visitors into their museum. The … Continue reading World’s Tallest Gas Pump in Sapulpa nears completion

Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian

A large "Motel" sign that graced the Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, apparently was stolen after a windstorm blew down its support structure weeks ago. The owners of the Route 66 motel, which is next to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, had let the sign lie on the ground behind the motel until … Continue reading Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian

Route 66 Association of Illinois launches redesigned website

The Route 66 Association of Illinois recently launched a redesigned version of its internet site. According to an email from the association this week, the website contains: Easier navigation to site content Emphasis on the association's mission and how to be a part of it Mobile device-friendly display Enhanced destination pages Surfing around the site, … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Illinois launches redesigned website

Funny or Die’s Overly Excited Tourist visits Victorville

Ryan O'Flanagan, known as the Overly Excited Tourist for Funny or Die, recently visited the Route 66 town of Victorville, California, and produced a video of his misadventures. As you'll find, the Overly Excited Tourist not only is excitable, but astonishingly ignorant. Note: It would be PG-rated for language. https://youtu.be/7yUN-Jik5Jk O'Flanagan briefly visited Mother Road … Continue reading Funny or Die’s Overly Excited Tourist visits Victorville

Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday

I never thought I'd write that headline. A spaceship made by the same man who crafted the World's Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois, will make a special appearance Tuesday at The Mill museum for the Route 66 landmark's 88th birthday. The Mill opened as The Blue Mill sandwich stand July 25, 1929, along U.S. … Continue reading Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday

More about the Grand Canyon Cafe’s reopening

Flagstaff's historic Grand Canyon Cafe reopened last week after an ownership change and months of remodeling. Naturally, longtime Route 66 travelers and regular customers wonder what changes are in store for a restaurant that will mark its 75th anniversary in December after longtime owners Freddy and Tina Wong retired last year and sold it to … Continue reading More about the Grand Canyon Cafe’s reopening

Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque

Developers of the historic but long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque on Tuesday showed off artist's renderings of the upcoming project, which is expected to break ground in October and take about a year to complete. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the Route 66 motel will be demolished and rebuilt as a hotel, apartments, … Continue reading Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque

Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district

The city of Springfield, Illinois, seems more likely to implement at tax-increment financing district on its declining north side -- which features a prominent alignment of Route 66 -- after a hearing on the matter last week. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements. … Continue reading Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district

Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold

The limestone balusters, or spindles, of the now-destroyed old Missouri Highway 96 bridge near Carthage, Missouri, probably will be sold after the city instructed road crews to salvage them. Meanwhile, the new Missouri 96 bridge northeast of town is slated to open this week. That would lessen the confusion of Route 66 travelers using Missouri 96, … Continue reading Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold