The Cities Service Station in southwest Tulsa this week became the sixth recipient of the city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program to light the darkness. The gas station at 1648 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66), now home to Studio 45 Architects, was built in 1926, the same year U.S. 66 was designated. The Cities Service … Continue reading Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa
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.
Suspicious fire damages historic trolley car in Sapulpa
The historic electric trolley car along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was damaged by a suspicious fire early Wednesday. Sapulpa News and Views reported on Facebook: First thought to have been caused by an electrical short in Christmas display lighting, a lock pried off one of the street car’s two doors and security camera footage … Continue reading Suspicious fire damages historic trolley car in Sapulpa
San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
Thanks to social media, people in recent years have become fascinated by so-called "arrows on the ground" that served as airmail beacons during the 1920s. Because these long-abandoned arrows were made of concrete, many still survive. To my surprise, I recently found out the Route 66 town of San Jon, New Mexico, also built a … Continue reading San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
The New Mexico Route 66 Association recently gave out Heritage Awards to Glenn's Bakery in Gallup, May Cafe in Albuquerque and Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa for their efforts at revitalization. The Pecos Theatre at 219 S. Fourth St. (aka Route 66) was honored for renovating the oldest theater on Route 66, built in 1917. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
Old Riverton Store in Riverton robbed at gunpoint; suspect apprehended
The owner of the Old Riverton Store along Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas, was bound and robbed at gunpoint Monday morning. The suspect was apprehended about six hours later and is jailed on $200,000 bond. According to a news release from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the store, formerly known as Eisler Bros. Store, was … Continue reading Old Riverton Store in Riverton robbed at gunpoint; suspect apprehended
County gives $1.5M more for Route 66 visitors center project in Albuquerque
Bernalillo County recently approved giving an additional $1.5 million to construct a Route 66 visitors center on Albuquerque's west side. According to a story by the Associated Press, the money is contingent on a comprehensive marketing analysis for the facility. The visitors center's projected cost has risen from $3.4 million to $12.9 million in three … Continue reading County gives $1.5M more for Route 66 visitors center project in Albuquerque
Albuquerque Rapid Transit has a new problem — traffic accidents
The troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit system along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) saw a new problem pop up in less than two weeks of service -- at least six traffic accidents. KOAT-TV reported the sixth mishap Wednesday on the bus line since the service launched Nov. 30. Almost all the accidents have been due to … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit has a new problem — traffic accidents
New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled
The Interparts of Tulsa shop unveiled its revamped neon sign Friday evening at 3615 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), one of several neon signs created or restored via the city's burgeoning Route 66 neon-sign grant program. The Interparts sign dates to the 1950s, according to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. It's the fifth sign … Continue reading New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled
Road Runner’s Retreat mulls full sign restoration after brief and partial relighting
A whim on the night Roy's neon sign in Amboy, California, was relighted led a successful partial relighting a portion of the nearby Road Runner's Retreat sign and considering a full restoration. The Facebook page for the long-closed Route 66 restaurant posted this Wednesday: I asked Ryan Anderson, owner of the property and administrator of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat mulls full sign restoration after brief and partial relighting
Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs
The Tucumcari City Commission last week by a 3-2 vote rejected a landmark ordinance that would have added a layer of protection for historic neon signs -- a sign of how property rights make such proposals a tough sell. One of the commissioners who rejected the plan, Todd Duplantis, owns two Route 66 restaurants in … Continue reading Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs