The historic Sonrise Donuts signs that sat atop a building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, for 70 years were removed from their perch Monday. But don't worry. The neon signs won't be going to the metal-shredding facility. The city of Springfield, which purchased the signs for $22,000 during an online auction in December, eventually … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored
Month: February 2019
Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today
Take a bunch of pictures, folks. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin a project today to eventually replace and remove the historic Horse Creek Bridge near Afton. The Miami News-Record in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, has the story: Public hearings were heard in 2016 regarding the Horse Creek Bridge, which was built in 1936 and … Continue reading Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today
Tulsa’s neon-sign grant program begins April 1
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission soon will begin its fledgling neon-sign program with $40,000 in the bank for starters. According to Public Radio Tulsa, the city recently gave approval for the grant program to begin along Route 66: "It’ll be up to a dollar-for-dollar match. Whoever is creating this sign, the applicant is going to have … Continue reading Tulsa’s neon-sign grant program begins April 1
Launching Pad Drive-In likely will be fully open by April
The wait for the once-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, to become a full-service restaurant again won't be much longer. When I asked the new owners, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker, by text when the Route 66 restaurant next to the famed Gemini Giant statue would be fully open, they replied: "Sometime in March no later … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In likely will be fully open by April
Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs should be fully open by May
The half-block-long Decades of Wheels complex in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, should be fully operational by May, according to an event coordinator there. Decades of Wheels held a grand opening celebration in October that included concerts from high-profile music arts, including the final concert of Steppenwolf founder John Kay before his announced retirement. However, many … Continue reading Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs should be fully open by May
County awards grant to help with De Anza Motor Lodge project
Bernalillo County recently awarded a $350,000 grant to help build infrastructure for the redevelopment of the historic De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque. The Associated Press reports county commissioners unanimously approved the grant to developers Anthea @ Nob Hill LLC to rebuild the Route 66 motel into a boutique motel. According to a document from … Continue reading County awards grant to help with De Anza Motor Lodge project
Tulsa Route 66 Commission not giving up on Brookshire Motel
Despite a fire that damaged a main building at the closed Brookshire Motel last week, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission still is not giving up on redeveloping the historic Route 66 property. According to a story by Public Radio Tulsa, a fire scorched the interior of the main office building, but the walls and roof … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission not giving up on Brookshire Motel
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard starts 90th year
Here's a nice sign of spring -- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard at its Route 66 location in southwest St. Louis opened for the season Tuesday, and it happens to be its 90th year. Here's a lucky television reporter who received the first frozen custard of the season: The other Ted Drewes site on South Grand … Continue reading Ted Drewes Frozen Custard starts 90th year
Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies
Debra Whittington, the longtime co-owner of the Pony Soldier Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and author of historical books about Tucumcari, died Monday after a lengthy illness. She was 61. Whittington also co-owned the Dollhouse Bed & Breakfast in Tucumcari, a 1908 two-story Victorian home near downtown Tucumcari she and her husband, Mark, restored and … Continue reading Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 to celebrate Muffler Man addition May 11
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa will hold a celebration for the addition of its new Muffler Man fiberglass statue starting at 10 a.m. May 11 with music, food and area celebrities. Joel Baker, known for the American Giants documentary series on YouTube, and his team will install the 20-foot-tall Muffler Man, … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 to celebrate Muffler Man addition May 11