A museum recently uncovered a nearly forgotten Native American-themed mural from the diner of the Red Chief Motel in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Officials at the Cooper Regional History Museum in nearby Upland, California, recently took the mural out of storage and put it on display. The Red Chief's owners donated the mural in 1979 when the motel was about to be … Continue reading Museum unearths Red Chief Motel diner mural
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.
Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
The original Barney's Beanery restaurant and bar along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, may be endangered by a proposed five-story hotel in that spot. The Los Angeles Times reported on a few of the details: The proposal — which is in its early stages — would see Barney’s entirely disassembled, stored offsite during construction and later rebuilt … Continue reading Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
While groundbreaking remains weeks away, the owners of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo revealed many plans for a bigger restaurant and other attractions just down the road. The current Big Texan seats about 500 people, but customer demand has outgrown it with no room to expand. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the restaurant loses more than … Continue reading More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
Glenn Frey tribute statue unveiled in Winslow
It took a day later than expected, but the Glenn Frey tribute statue was unveiled Saturday at the Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona. Hundreds of people -- along with about an equal number of smartphones -- attended the unveiling. It's a tribute to the co-founder of the popular country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer … Continue reading Glenn Frey tribute statue unveiled in Winslow
Ground broken for Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park
Area officials broke ground Friday for Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City, Missouri, on a triangular piece of land on the town's east side. Actual construction will begin in a few days. Completion of the park is scheduled for March 1. According to a report from the scene by KSNF-TV: "It's going to … Continue reading Ground broken for Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park
Several vintage signs soon will be restored in Kingman
The Route 66 Association of Kingman has begun the restoration of several historic neon signs and created new signs for businesses in Kingman, Arizona. According to a recent news release from the association: Through a partnership with Legacy Signs, they have provided new signage for various organizations and businesses such as the non-profit Luv of … Continue reading Several vintage signs soon will be restored in Kingman
Two Oklahoma properties added to National Register
Two areas of Route 66 in Oklahoma recently were named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Thursday from the National Park Service. First, the register recognized the Downtown Claremore Historic District that includes a couple of blocks of Lynn Riggs Boulevard (aka Route 66) and the historic Will Rogers Hotel … Continue reading Two Oklahoma properties added to National Register
Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation likely will close two historic and unique Route 66 bridges because of deterioration, but it is considering keeping the structures as monuments to travelers, according to a report from a television station and an Oklahoma Route 66 historian. The state's bridge plan calls for replacing several bridges on Route 66 … Continue reading Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments
More about the Western Host Motel restoration
A few weeks ago, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced its annual cost-share grants. One of them was a property of which I was unfamiliar -- the Western Host Motel in Grants, New Mexico. The $12,500 grant went towards buying 50 new doors for the motel. I had meant to contact the new owners … Continue reading More about the Western Host Motel restoration
A look at “Route 66: Radiance, Rust and Revival on the Mother Road”
The "Route 66: Radiance, Rust and Revival on the Mother Road" show at the Albuquerque Museum ends in about 10 days. If you are unable to see it, this well-produced and remarkably comprehensive video from the city's television channel may suffice: https://youtu.be/O_zNQQQVhMY The show's curator said something notable, which is quoted here without irony: "You can see how things like signage have … Continue reading A look at “Route 66: Radiance, Rust and Revival on the Mother Road”