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

Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend

The historic Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami, Oklahoma, is playing host to Sunny Side Up Film Festival on Friday through Sunday after it was delayed for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizer Rock Whitehead talked to the Joplin Globe about the event: The festival is bringing to Northeast Oklahoma a diverse cast of filmmakers to show off … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend

Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the 1995 terrorist bombing that killed 168 people, will receive the final $1 million in a federal spending bill it was promised almost two decades ago. According to an article in The Oklahoman, the $1.5 trillion federal spending bill that primarily funds road and water projects … Continue reading Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago

Bank of Avilla building in Avilla, Missouri, added to National Register of Historic Places

The century-old Bank of Avilla building, now a post office, in the Route 66 hamlet of Avilla, Missouri, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective March 7, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service, which administers the National Register program. The Joplin Globe had some … Continue reading Bank of Avilla building in Avilla, Missouri, added to National Register of Historic Places

Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants

The good news is a developer wants to spend plenty of money to preserve the historic and distinctive Donnay Building in Oklahoma City. The bad news is he will evict several tenants, including the HiLo Club. That's the gist by The Oklahoman newspaper, which reports Nick Preftakes is prepared to spend $3 million to bring … Continue reading Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants

Nolan Stolz’s Route 66 trips for musical inspiration gets coverage by the Associated Press

A few months ago, we covered Nolan Stolz's efforts to uncover information about Benonine, Texas, and other ghost towns along Route 66 as part of his research for his forthcoming “Route 66 Suite” he’s composing for orchestras. The Associated Press recently distributed a story based in Kingman, Arizona, about Stolz, a South Carolina music professor … Continue reading Nolan Stolz’s Route 66 trips for musical inspiration gets coverage by the Associated Press

City of Tulsa chooses two finalists for Route 66 mixed-use development

The City of Tulsa has picked two finalists for a Route 66 mixed-use development near the Arkansas River, but not the group associated with the Route 66 Alliance. The Tulsa World reported last week the Hund Capital and Sharp Boulder Enterprises LLC to design and build on the tract near the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza … Continue reading City of Tulsa chooses two finalists for Route 66 mixed-use development

Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Two Albuquerque businesses, including the Monterey Motel, on Friday received the Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association. The association stated in a news release the Monterey was honored "in recognition of the preservation and retro-nouveau adaption of a classic Route 66 motel, originally opened as David Court in 1946 - renamed Monterey … Continue reading Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

A tourism bureau in southwest Illinois has applied for a state grant that would create a new Route 66 visitor center and reopen the Cannonball Jail in Carlinville, among other projects. According to Riverbender.com, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois applied for the grant under the state's Route 66 Grant Program administered … Continue reading Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

New Mexico Route 66 Association gives Heritage Award to two Tucumcari businesses

The New Mexico Route 66 Association earlier this week presented its Heritage Award to Loretta's Burrito Hut and the Roadrunner Lodge Motel, both of the Tucumcari. Each winner gets a complimentary business membership to the association, a listing in the association's quarterly magazine and a metal Route 66 sign. New Mexico Route 66 Association President … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association gives Heritage Award to two Tucumcari businesses