Red Fork Depot event space in Tulsa opens to the public

The $3.5 million Red Fork Depot event space in the Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa opened to the public a few days ago. According to KOTV in Tulsa, the facility -- built to resemble a Red Fork's original railroad depot right next to the Frisco Meteor 4500 steam locomotive -- contains 5,000 square … Continue reading Red Fork Depot event space in Tulsa opens to the public

National Trust again offering $40,000 grants to small, historic restaurants

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced this week it again is offering $40,000 awards through its Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program to aid recovery amid challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an email from the National Trust: Our mission: award $40,000 grants to 25 historic small restaurants across the country to … Continue reading National Trust again offering $40,000 grants to small, historic restaurants

Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19

The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, is expanding from two to three days this summer after returning for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's festival -- the 10th -- is slated for Aug. 11-13. According to OzarksFirst.com, organizers hope to draw 70,000 to 75,000 people to … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19

Route 66-related stop included in “The Price Is Right’s” 50-anniversary tour

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, "The Price Is Right" television game show is embarking on a nationwide tour that includes at least one Route 66-related stop. "The Price Is Right" tour begins Friday with current host Drew Carey at the Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- during … Continue reading Route 66-related stop included in “The Price Is Right’s” 50-anniversary tour

Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa makes an appearance in a new Hanson music video

The music trio Hanson dropped a new music video about a week ago, and it contains several seconds of footage outside and inside Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 gift shop in Tulsa. The music video is for "Write You a Song," which is on a forthcoming Hanson album titled "Red Green Blue." The video … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa makes an appearance in a new Hanson music video

Roy’s of Amboy makes an appearance in new Nissan commercial

If you've watched any NCAA basketball tournament games on television in recent days, you might have spotted the Route 66 landmark Roy's gas station, cafe and motel in Amboy, California, in a Nissan ad. The Roy's footage, which features the Nissan Z sports car, begins about the 15-second mark; https://youtu.be/yR6mx_VkXEk I went back more than … Continue reading Roy’s of Amboy makes an appearance in new Nissan commercial

Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade

The more than century-old Crystal Cave north of Springfield, Missouri, will reopen Wednesday for the first time nearly in a decade after landing a new owner who made improvements to the property. The cave, with its 72 acres and an 1892 house, had been for sale since 2016, the Springfield News-Leader reports. Now, the cave … Continue reading Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade

Neon for Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan is relighted during a ceremony

The long-anticipated relighting of a neon sign and architectural neon for the historic Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan, Missouri, occurred Saturday evening with dozens of roadies in attendance. Here is a short video, posted on Facebook, by Douglas Rice of the lighting countdown: Property owner Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted a live feed from the festivities: … Continue reading Neon for Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan is relighted during a ceremony

Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC

The full music lineup recently was announced for the Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and Oklahoma City in June, which includes one intriguing act -- Son Volt. St. Louis-based Son Volt was one of essentially three bands born out of the 1993 breakup of a highly influential country-rock band, Uncle Tupelo. (The other two … Continue reading Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC

Oklahoma approves its part of Route 66 for U.S. Bicycle Route System

It appears Route 66 in Oklahoma is one step closer to being part of the U.S. Bicycle Route System. According to The Center Square: The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved funding to put signage along more than 400 miles of the bike route, according to Jared Schwennesen, a district manager with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation … Continue reading Oklahoma approves its part of Route 66 for U.S. Bicycle Route System