Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class

Three individuals will be inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame during a ceremony next month. The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society announced the third set of inductees last week. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, during the society's … Continue reading Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class

Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer

The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer

Five Beetles returned to former Slug Bug Ranch site, but new site will continue as planned

After the owner of Slug Bug Ranch moved the five Volkswagen Beetles south of the original site near Conway, Texas, the landlord claimed possession of them and they were moved back. The Texas Old Route 66 Association alluded to this fluid situation in a social media post about two weeks ago: Slug Bug Ranch, inspired … Continue reading Five Beetles returned to former Slug Bug Ranch site, but new site will continue as planned

Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston secretly adds a 1970s-inspired bar

The acclaimed Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston, Oklahoma, secretly constructed and recently opened a 1970s-inspired bar attached to its Route 66 restaurant. The bar is called Uncle Mark's -- a tribute to restaurant owner Levi Bouska's uncle and his mother's childhood home, reported KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City. It’s a living room-size addition to take … Continue reading Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston secretly adds a 1970s-inspired bar

Group’s development plan may save condemned Midtown Travel Inn motel in Clinton

The condemned Midtown Travel Inn in Clinton, Oklahoma, may be spared the wrecking ball after a local art community presented possible plans for the Route 66 motel in front of the city council. Clinton-based West OK Co-op officers Jason Smith and Andrew Stone asked the council to pause plans for demolition of the motel for … Continue reading Group’s development plan may save condemned Midtown Travel Inn motel in Clinton

Joplin may allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts

The City of Joplin, Missouri, is exploring a proposal to allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts. According to the Joplin Globe, city staff and the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission are seeking input for the plan at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the 530 Somewhere restaurant at 530 S. Main … Continue reading Joplin may allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts

Route 66 Podcast is offering scholarships for students from kindergarten through college

Anthony Arno of the Route 66 Podcast recently announced he is offering Route 66 scholarships ranging from $25 to $1,000 for students from kindergarten age through college. Here's what Arno stated in an email: Students simply need to show the spirit of Route 66 in their very own creative and expressive way. Past recipients can be … Continue reading Route 66 Podcast is offering scholarships for students from kindergarten through college

Oklahoma Tourism’s updated Route 66 Guide goes fully digital

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department recently released an updated digital Route 66 Guide --- the first such publication to be re-released as fully digital. The updated guide is 63 pages. According to a news release from the department: “Going digital with our specialty publications gives us an exciting opportunity to make our guides more … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism’s updated Route 66 Guide goes fully digital

Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Route 66 Association of Japan form an ambassadorship

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the Route 66 Association of Japan announced this week they had formed an ambassadorship. More information from a story from the Oklahoma association: Working together, the two associations hope to increase awareness of Oklahoma’s unique culture for Japanese travelers while also bringing opportunities to experience Japan’s cultural traditions to … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Route 66 Association of Japan form an ambassadorship

Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church

A local journalist recently acquired the former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church that stands along Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The church not only is known for being right next to the Mother Road, but it also contains a still-working neon cross atop its steeple visible from nearby Interstate 44. The church only is about 1 … Continue reading Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church