About 125 grants from the National Scenic Byways Program were announced Thursday, with several of them going to Route 66 projects. The following is a Route 66-related list of the grant award, where it's going, and a description from the Federal Highway Administration of its purpose: --- $267,038, Kingman, Ariz., Historic Route 66 Kingman Pedestrian Crossing … Continue reading Several Scenic Byways grants go to Route 66
Category: Attractions
Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism
The state of Illinois announced that tourism returned to pre-recession levels in 2011, with Route 66 helping drive that recovery, reported the Chicago Tribune. The state reported hosting more than 93.3 million visitors, up 10.2 percent from 2010 and surpassing the previous record of 91 million in 2006. The increase outpaced a national average gain … Continue reading Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism
Still tree-mendous
Longtime readers may remember a story from two years ago where Durelle Pritchard of Pontiac, Ill., decided to do something different about getting rid of a nuisance pine tree in his yard. Instead of chopping down the tree, he had a chain-saw artist whittle it into the shape of an old-fashioned gas pump. Pritchard's house sits … Continue reading Still tree-mendous
A nice side effect for the upcoming festival
The International Route 66 Festival in Victorville, Calif., is about a month away. Efforts to spruce up the town before the event seem to be creating a few nice side effects, reported the Victorville Daily Press. Marcy Taylor stood under the scorching sun Monday in Old Town, painting a white car on a blue wall … Continue reading A nice side effect for the upcoming festival
Litchfield Route 66 museum asks for hotel tax funds
Board members for the under-construction Litchfield Route 66 Museum and Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill., requested $100,000 in hotel-tax funds from the city for equipment and supplies, reported The Journal-News. However, a city committee trimmed that possible grant to $20,000, and it still has to be approved by the full council. Officials undoubtedly balked at … Continue reading Litchfield Route 66 museum asks for hotel tax funds
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced 10 cost-share grants totaling more than $103,000 to Route 66 businesses, according to a news release today from the program. Many of the grants went to renovating or improving historic properties along the Mother Road. The awardees are: Hualapai Tribal Route 66 Interpretive Project, Peach Springs, Ariz. ($10,000 grant, $10,000 … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants
Joliet theater expanding its tour hours
In response to demand from Route 66 tourists and other visitors, the historic Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, Ill., is greatly expanding its hours for tour groups, reported the Naperville Sun. The newspaper said the theater would expand its tour hours to 10 a week. In the past, the theater offered only one tour a week … Continue reading Joliet theater expanding its tour hours
A hike into Amboy Crater
A few years ago, Emily (aka Redforkhippie) and I hiked up Tucumcari Mountain in Tucumcari, N.M., to get up close and personal with one of Route 66's most prominent landmarks. During a recent vacation, we took the same approach to Amboy Crater, an extinct volcano about two miles west of the tiny Route 66 burg of … Continue reading A hike into Amboy Crater
Tourism center in Springfield, Mo., sports Route 66 theme
The city's tourism center in downtown Springfield, Mo., will include a new Route 66 theme, reported KY3-TV in Springfield. The television station reported: The center at 815 St. Louis St. will sport window graphics reflecting the heyday of Route 66 – the historic byway upon which the center is located – and scenes from Springfield … Continue reading Tourism center in Springfield, Mo., sports Route 66 theme
Webcast of the Cars Land grand opening event
Disney has posted the full webcast version of the Cars Land grand opening event from Wednesday night. You'll see a brief appearance by Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road" and voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs from "Cars," at the 9:20 mark. https://youtu.be/UIJLlj8WK1c