A new, 30-foot-tall neon sign for the soon-to-reopen TeePee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was installed this week. According to the Sapulpa Times, the sign still awaits electrical work and some neon finishing around the edges. In a follow-up comment, the Times reported the theater will reopen next spring. The owners had hoped to reopen … Continue reading New neon sign installed for TeePee Drive-In in Sapulpa
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.
LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 to consider a landmark status application for the endangered, century-old Standard gas station in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. Esotouric initially flagged several weeks ago the demolition permit application for the 1919 metal station at 1659 W. Colorado Blvd. … Continue reading LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
Nelson gardens to be re-created at Camp Joy cabin in Lebanon
Master gardeners will re-create Col A.T. Nelson's flower gardens at the restored Camp Joy cabin at Boswell Park in Lebanon, Missouri. When he operated the Top o’ the Ozarks Inn and, later, the Nelson Tavern (aka Nelson Hotel) and Nelson’s Dream Village in Lebanon, Nelson lined flowers along the paths near Route 66. Gary Sosniecki … Continue reading Nelson gardens to be re-created at Camp Joy cabin in Lebanon
Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
The owners of the landmark Skirvin HIlton hotel in downtown Oklahoma City are preparing to put it up for sale, with half of the proceeds likely going back to the city. Marcus Hotels and Resorts joined forces with the city to renovate and reopen the closed, century-old hotel about 15 years ago. Steve Lackmeyer at … Continue reading Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
Contents of Vernelle’s Motel near Arlington to be auctioned on Saturday
The contents of the closed Vernelle's Motel near Arlington, Missouri, will be auctioned Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24. The sale by Grovers Auction Service will include plenty of antiques, including a wringer washer, a Pepsi vending machine, metal chairs, and -- get this -- an honest-to-goodness telephone booth. The auction also will include the contents of … Continue reading Contents of Vernelle’s Motel near Arlington to be auctioned on Saturday
Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Documentary photographer Jeff Sonnabend of Arkansas recently completed a book, "The Route 66 Primer: An Uncropped View of the Mother Road," and he's launched an online fundraising campaign to help publish it. Sonnabend shot his photos in 2020, and the book aims to be a sort of time capsule of Route 66 near the current … Continue reading Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and its Beautification Committee are in the early stages of making historic McLain Rogers Park "more accessible and user friendly," according to a newspaper's report. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) talked to city manager Robert Johnston about the possible changes: “There is an obvious lack of handicap and ADA … Continue reading Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants
Bon Appetit last week named Ma Der Lao Kitchen in Oklahoma City one of the top 25 best new restaurants in the United States. Here's what the magazine said about the restaurant: After years spent cooking Japanese food around Oklahoma City, chef Jeff Chanchaleune has turned his considerable talents to the Lao food he grew … Continue reading Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants
Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day. Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book "Route … Continue reading Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes
The Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, on Saturday set a Guinness world record by serving 266 different flavors of milkshakes. The event was part of the Mobil 1 "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" tour that includes a specially made Muffler Man in tow. The landmark Route 66 restaurant and others posted photos when the record … Continue reading Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes