Bernalillo County Commissioner Frank Baca recently pledged $250,000 from his District Directed Funding account towards operations of the yet-to-open Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque. The county operated the $13 million facility until April 2024, then donated it to the City of Albuquerque. The city formed a Route 66 Visitor Center Commission to determine how … Continue reading County commissioner pledges $250,000 to operations of Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
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.
Hudson Service Station in Miami designated to National Register of Historic Places
The 90-year-old Hudson Service Station in Miami, Oklahoma, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The station at 218 S. Main St. (aka Route 66) landed the designation on Aug. 18, according to an email from the National Park Service. The Oklahoma Historical Society also announced it. According to Sooner State News: Built … Continue reading Hudson Service Station in Miami designated to National Register of Historic Places
New Route 66 Memorial dedicated at Buehler Park in Rolla
The Rolla Chamber of Commerce presided last week over the ribbon-cutting and dedication of a new Route 66 Memorial at Buehler Park in Rolla, Missouri. According to the chamber, the memorial was paid for with a grant from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission. Aimee Campbell, the city's tourism director, shepherded the project. According to … Continue reading New Route 66 Memorial dedicated at Buehler Park in Rolla
Rod’s Steak House in Williams reopens after years-long closure
The historic Rod's Steak House in Williams, Arizona, reopened Saturday under new ownership after it shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic several years ago. Kennelly Concepts spent months remodeling and restoring the Route 66 landmark, which dates to 1946. Williams Mayor Don Dent, former Rod's owner Lawrence Sanchez and Tom Kennelly celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony … Continue reading Rod’s Steak House in Williams reopens after years-long closure
Up to $42,500 in grants available for Route 66 businesses and attractions
Up to $42,500 in grants are available for Route 66 businesses and attractions through the Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program this year. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with its Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program, an Official Route 66 Centennial Project. Up to 20 grants … Continue reading Up to $42,500 in grants available for Route 66 businesses and attractions
Rock Cafe, Ike’s Chili among recipients of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Several eateries along Route 66 will receive $50,000 each from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the 50 recipients on Monday. Among the Route 66 restaurants are: Rock Cafe, Stroud, Oklahoma (since 1939) Ike's Chili, Tulsa (since 1908) The Barn - Route 66, Newberry Springs, California (since … Continue reading Rock Cafe, Ike’s Chili among recipients of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
More details emerge on “A Night at the Route 66 Museum” to launch centennial celebration
The Route 66 Association of Arizona recently provided more details on "A Night at the Route 66 Museum" in Kingman to kick off the Route 66 centennial a few weeks early. The event features a partnership with the association, City of Kingman Office of Tourism and Mohave County Historical Society. This fundraiser will take place … Continue reading More details emerge on “A Night at the Route 66 Museum” to launch centennial celebration
35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City chose a public art design that features a huge neon boot, paying tribute to the iconic song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." As OKCTalk reported recently, the city will set aside $875,000 in voter-approved MAPS 4 sales-tax funds for the project. More details: The central element of Kicks 66 is a 35-foot-tall … Continue reading 35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City
“Flat Will” lets travelers take Will Rogers with them on their next road trip
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced its launch of Flat Will, an interactive way for people to honor the Sooner State's favorite son, Will Rogers, and take him on new adventures, just in time for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. Take selfies with Flat Will -- a cutout likeness of Rogers about 11 … Continue reading “Flat Will” lets travelers take Will Rogers with them on their next road trip
More details emerge on forthcoming “musical road” on Route 66 in Santa Rosa
The local newspaper in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, provided more details on a "musical road" coming to town. The city is receiving a $60,000 Route 66 centennial grant from the New Mexico Tourism Department to build two sets of musical rumble strips. According to the Guadalupe County Communicator (subscription required): Santa Rosa is planning two sets … Continue reading More details emerge on forthcoming “musical road” on Route 66 in Santa Rosa