McLean County, Illinois, is seeking a federal grant to help add seven miles to a Route 66 bicycle trail outside of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. According to WJBC radio: The McLean County Board is expected to apply for federal funds to add a 4-mile stretch of the trail between Lexington and Towanda and a 3.25-mile … Continue reading Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail
Category: Attractions
Jensen’s Point grand reopening set for May 30
The historic Jensen's Point along Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri, will host a grand reopening and dedication May 30. According to an invitation, the Jensen's Point grand reopening will be at 2 p.m. The landmark is east of Pacific and west of Exit 261 from Interstate 44 west of St. Louis. The ceremony will include … Continue reading Jensen’s Point grand reopening set for May 30
Formal celebration held for new California monuments
The recent designation of three national monuments in California -- including the Mojave Trails National Monument that includes Route 66 -- was formally celebrated Thursday by conservationists and the Secretary of the Interior. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell attended the celebration, according to The Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs. The other two monuments are the Sand … Continue reading Formal celebration held for new California monuments
Barstow belatedly looks at Route 66 plan
The city of Barstow, California, has hired an Oregon company to come up with a possible strategic plan to help revive its downtown and Route 66 corridor. The Victorville Daily Press reported: A Portland, Oregon, company called MIG was hired to help develop the plan, which is supposed to set a vision for growth and … Continue reading Barstow belatedly looks at Route 66 plan
Murals in Chelsea pedestrian tunnel to be revealed Saturday
Project Chelsea of Chelsea, Oklahoma, is inviting Mother Road fans to the town's historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 to see the new murals in it that will be revealed Saturday. The Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass Mural will be unveiled at 4 p.m. Saturday at the tunnel at Sixth and Walnut streets. After the ceremony, the tunnel … Continue reading Murals in Chelsea pedestrian tunnel to be revealed Saturday
New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
"Reels and Wheels," a new public art sculpture in front of the historic Hiland Theatre, recently was dedicated in Albuquerque. According to KRQE-TV: The art piece serves a dual purpose as art and as the ABQ Ride bus shelter for the bus stop that sits directly in front of the Hiland Theater on Central. Riders … Continue reading New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
Albuquerque will repair and convert to LED all of its Route 66-themed neon archways and signs by June, including a defective one on the city's west side has read "Route 6" instead of "Route 66" for almost a year. KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports the repairs and conversion will cost the city about $151,000. Repairs on one of the … Continue reading Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
“American Indians and Route 66” guide published
A 68-page "American Indians and Route 66" guide for tourists recently was published, along with its companion website. "American Indians and Route 66" is a partnership between the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which awarded a cost-share grant for the publication. Lisa Hicks Snell, a member of the … Continue reading “American Indians and Route 66” guide published
Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
The daughter of Gary Turner reopened the much-loved Gay Parita gas station west of Halltown, Missouri, 15 months after its patriarch died at age 70. Barbara Turner moved into her father and mother's home behind the Route 66 landmark less than two weeks ago. She quit her longtime job as a theater manager and sold … Continue reading Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction