The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, is applying for a state Route 66 centennial grant that could be used to convert its historic former fire station into a visitors center. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported Thursday that the grant is due to be submitted on Sept. 30. Awards from the centennial grant program will … Continue reading Old firehouse in Clinton may be turned into a visitors center
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Arts Commission this week approved an agreement to install the big Route 66 boot at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The "Kicks 66" art project still requires approval from the city council before it can proceed, reported KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. The original proposed location was on Classen Boulevard, on … Continue reading Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Five U.S. senators on Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the senators are Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. -- all from states where historic Route 66 traverses. Similar legislation is being brought … Continue reading Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
While the Route 66-themed View Stop Park is being built on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, workers are seeking to find the original Route 66 roadway that went through there. The park will include a Route 66 centennial marker, a bridge overlook plaza, parking, wildflower gardens, a boulder playground, a “Get Your Kicks” photo-op … Continue reading Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
In the wake of actor and director Robert Redford's death this week at age 89, a story emerged about how he helped save the decaying Santa Monica Pier from being torn down in the early 1970s. It's hard to believe now, but the pier was so dilapidated, the Santa Monica City Council voted to demolish … Continue reading Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
City of Albuquerque searches for new managers of historic KiMo Theatre
The City of Albuquerque is searching for new operators of a Route 66 landmark, the historic KiMo Theatre in the downtown area. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports that the city has issued a request for proposals to find new managers. The city’s Arts and Culture Department had run the venue for decades. City Councilor Joaquin Baca … Continue reading City of Albuquerque searches for new managers of historic KiMo Theatre
Feds pull $675,000 grant to extend Historic Route 66 Bike Trail in Bloomington area
The U.S. Department of Transportation yanked an awarded $675,000 grant to help plan and design the final three segments of the 47-mile Historic Route 66 Bike/Pedestrian Trail in the Bloomington-Normal area of Illinois. The grant was awarded more than a year ago, but the USDOT apparently reconsidered. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: According to a letter … Continue reading Feds pull $675,000 grant to extend Historic Route 66 Bike Trail in Bloomington area
Study shows Route 66 ranks No. 1 in most scenic road trips
A recent study shows that Route 66 topped the list of the most scenic road trips in the United States. According to a report in Yahoo! Life: The study, conducted by vehicle data site 0-60 Specs, analyzed Tripadvisor’s Most Scenic Drives in the United States list and compared each route by the number of Instagram posts. The results … Continue reading Study shows Route 66 ranks No. 1 in most scenic road trips
Kevin Hansel, former California Historic Route 66 Association president, dies at 64
Kevin Hansel, a former California Historic Route 66 Association president and a longtime proponent of the Mother Road, died Monday after a lengthy illness. He was 64. Hansel's death was announced by his niece, Ashley Caceras, on the California Historic Route 66 Association's page on Facebook. "Kevin was a vital part of my life and … Continue reading Kevin Hansel, former California Historic Route 66 Association president, dies at 64
Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute
The Amarillo Art Institute in Amarillo, Texas, is hosting an exhibit, "The Mother Road — Open Air, Open Road," of dozens of paintings of Route 66 landmarks and signs. The exhibit runs through Sept. 26 at AAI’s Vermillion Gallery at 3701 Plains Blvd. According to the Amarillo Globe-News: The show, the first joint effort between … Continue reading Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute