This new video features a collection of photos taken during the early 1980s by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation along NW 39th Street from Oklahoma City to the suburb of Bethany, before U.S. 66 become decommissioned. According to Rachel Mosman, a photo archivist at the Oklahoma Historical Society, the photos were animated by J.A. Pryse into a video. https://youtu.be/mvcUHhXO9ts In … Continue reading A sample of a treasure trove of photos
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.
Pony Bridge added to Endangered Places list
Preservation Oklahoma recently placed the famous Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, on its 2016 list of Oklahoma's Most Endangered Historic Places. The endangered-places listing was announced in April in Tulsa. The State Historic Preservation Office published the list in its current issue of the Preservation Oklahoma News. This is how Preservation Oklahoma listed the bridge, which also is … Continue reading Pony Bridge added to Endangered Places list
Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City soon will disappear
The historic Carlyle Motel along old Route 66 in west Oklahoma City has closed, and it seems it soon will make way for a used-car lot. A reader alerted me by email this week the motel's "driveway is now blocked, by a large truck that has a sign reading 'Cash for Cars.'" The current situation has existed … Continue reading Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City soon will disappear
Gallup district placed on National Register
The Gallup Commercial Historic District in Gallup, New Mexico, that includes parts of Route 66 recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective June 21, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The boundaries of the Gallup Commercial Historic District are Route 66 to the north, South Seventh … Continue reading Gallup district placed on National Register
Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station
A few Route 66 aficionados became alarmed when they saw in February the Richfield sign atop the restored Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, had vanished. Don't worry, folks. The sign's absence turns out to be temporary. The station's owners eventually will reinstall and lower by two feet the Richfield sign to satisfy the owner of … Continue reading Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station
New Route 66 Experience website offers look at the inside
The folks behind the proposed Route 66 Experience museum in Tulsa launched a new website for it this week -- including artist's renderings of a few exhibits. News releases in May 2015 revealed earlier renderings of the museum. Organizers -- which include Route 66 Alliance members -- and the website both state they want to have it open … Continue reading New Route 66 Experience website offers look at the inside
Desert Sands Motel catches fire again
Albuquerque firefighters on Sunday responded to a second fire in 40 days at the now-closed Desert Sands Motel along the city's Route 66 corridor. A passerby alerted the fire department about 3 p.m. after seeing a fire burning in the back of the motel, KOAT-TV reported. Just one unit burned before firefighters brought the blaze … Continue reading Desert Sands Motel catches fire again
Building with vintage sign collection is for sale
A commercial building along Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma -- along with its treasure trove of vintage signs -- is for sale on Craigslist for $85,000. View the listing for the building at 711 Commerce Ave. (map) here. The 1959 building takes up a city block and features more than 10,000 square feet of space. According to the … Continue reading Building with vintage sign collection is for sale
Anyone need a Muffler Man for their business?
If you own a Route 66 business that needs an eye-catching boost, the folks behind the "American Giants" documentary series are auctioning a 20-foot-tall Muffler Man. The fiberglass giant offered for sale is a Mr. Bendo / Paul Bunyon model. The online auction ends July 17. "American Giants" host Joel Baker said in an email "we hope … Continue reading Anyone need a Muffler Man for their business?
Jim Jones honored by Illinois Route 66 Association
Jim Jones, a longtime volunteer at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum with a longtime personal history with Route 66 in Odell, Illinois, recently was honored with the President's Award by the Illinois Route 66 Association. According to this news release from Ellie Alexander, director of tourism in Pontiac, Illinois: In making the … Continue reading Jim Jones honored by Illinois Route 66 Association