Officials from Galena, Kansas, and the neighboring states of Oklahoma and Missouri attended a ceremony Saturday to mark the restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena Work on the bridge was finished in early July. Cherokee County received a Community Development Block Grant last year for the repairs, and the county covered the … Continue reading Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena
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.
New Route 66 exhibit opens in History Museum on the Square
History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, on Monday opened its latest exhibit, "Memories of the Mother Road: Birthplace of Route 66." The show will run through the end of the year. Katy Rawlins, office manager for the museum, explained the show in an email: The exhibit focuses on the route through Springfield … Continue reading New Route 66 exhibit opens in History Museum on the Square
The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations
KSDK-TV in St. Louis recently produced a story about neon signs along Route 66 in Missouri -- especially signs restored by the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee. The fellow behind many of these restorations is David Hutson of Neon Time in St. Charles, Missouri. Hutson said: “When people tour Route 66, … Continue reading The man behind many Route 66 neon sign restorations
World’s Tallest Gas Pump in Sapulpa nears completion
The 66-foot-tall gas pump in front of the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, neared completion last week with the installation of what will be a lighted medallion on top. Officials are billing it the World's Tallest Gas Pump, with the idea of the oversized landmark drawing visitors into their museum. The … Continue reading World’s Tallest Gas Pump in Sapulpa nears completion
Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian
A large "Motel" sign that graced the Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, apparently was stolen after a windstorm blew down its support structure weeks ago. The owners of the Route 66 motel, which is next to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, had let the sign lie on the ground behind the motel until … Continue reading Large sign stolen from Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian
Route 66 Association of Illinois launches redesigned website
The Route 66 Association of Illinois recently launched a redesigned version of its internet site. According to an email from the association this week, the website contains: Easier navigation to site content Emphasis on the association's mission and how to be a part of it Mobile device-friendly display Enhanced destination pages Surfing around the site, … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Illinois launches redesigned website
Funny or Die’s Overly Excited Tourist visits Victorville
Ryan O'Flanagan, known as the Overly Excited Tourist for Funny or Die, recently visited the Route 66 town of Victorville, California, and produced a video of his misadventures. As you'll find, the Overly Excited Tourist not only is excitable, but astonishingly ignorant. Note: It would be PG-rated for language. https://youtu.be/7yUN-Jik5Jk O'Flanagan briefly visited Mother Road … Continue reading Funny or Die’s Overly Excited Tourist visits Victorville
Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday
I never thought I'd write that headline. A spaceship made by the same man who crafted the World's Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois, will make a special appearance Tuesday at The Mill museum for the Route 66 landmark's 88th birthday. The Mill opened as The Blue Mill sandwich stand July 25, 1929, along U.S. … Continue reading Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday
More about the Grand Canyon Cafe’s reopening
Flagstaff's historic Grand Canyon Cafe reopened last week after an ownership change and months of remodeling. Naturally, longtime Route 66 travelers and regular customers wonder what changes are in store for a restaurant that will mark its 75th anniversary in December after longtime owners Freddy and Tina Wong retired last year and sold it to … Continue reading More about the Grand Canyon Cafe’s reopening
Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque
Developers of the historic but long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque on Tuesday showed off artist's renderings of the upcoming project, which is expected to break ground in October and take about a year to complete. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the Route 66 motel will be demolished and rebuilt as a hotel, apartments, … Continue reading Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque