Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding

The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau announced what it will do with more than $800,000 in state Route 66 funding. It includes an RV park and campground at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston; a mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield; a drive-through Route 66 shield at Country Classic Cars in Staunton; … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding

American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend

The American Giants Museum in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, recently announced its regular hours, with a grand opening set for Memorial Day weekend in late May. This month, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Starting April 2, the hours will be: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through … Continue reading American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend

Gemini Giant, Launching Pad Drive-In items placed on online auction site

As promised by its owner, the Gemini Giant of the Launching Pad Drive-In landed on an online auction site -- along with about 350 items from the Route 66 restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois. Grafe Auction of Minnesota is listing the fiberglass giant, with the auction closing on the morning of March 20. The company scheduled … Continue reading Gemini Giant, Launching Pad Drive-In items placed on online auction site

City of El Reno to purchase former Route 66 gas station, will make improvements at plaza

The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, is under contract to buy a former gas station at Sunset Drive (aka Route 66) and Choctaw Avenue for $150,000 and is seeking a state Route 66 grant to improve that corner in time for the highway's centennial in 2026. The city also plans to upgrade its Mother Road … Continue reading City of El Reno to purchase former Route 66 gas station, will make improvements at plaza

Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition

A man who hails from the Launching Pad Drive-In's home base of Wilmington, Illinois, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to save its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant from possible destruction by its owner. The closed Route 66 restaurant's owner, Holly Barker, said on Twitter a few days ago she was putting the Gemini Giant up for … Continue reading Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition

Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month

A weeks-long project to repair the 120-year-old Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, was finished on Feb. 9. The general contractor, Holman Construction, said the repairs would add another 30 years of life to the Route 66 landmark. The cost was a little more than $110,000, with $30,000 coming from a grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month

Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa

Tulsa Fire Station 66 -- along Route 66, naturally -- acquired and restored a 1950 former city firetruck for a photo op at the station. According to News on 6 in Tulsa: The work took more than 3 years of work by volunteers, who rebuilt the truck that was junked about 15 years ago. "And … Continue reading Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa

New, Route 66-inspired neon sign graces an entrance to downtown Albuquerque

In a tribute to Route 66, the City of Albuquerque last week dedicated a new neon sign near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. It's about three blocks north of Route 66, but city officials had the Mother Road in mind with its look, said Mayor Tim Keller. According … Continue reading New, Route 66-inspired neon sign graces an entrance to downtown Albuquerque

Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it

A nonprofit community group has purchased the endangered and historic water tower of McLean, Illinois, for $1. It will repaint the structure and hire an artist to paint a mural on it. The purchase reverses a 4-2 vote by the village board in November to tear the water tower down for almost $34,000. The village … Continue reading Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it