The Miami (Okla.) News-Herald reported that landscape architecture students have made their recommendations "Miami Beautiful" -- a revamped downtown area. The students clearly took the "Miami Beautiful" name from the historic Coleman Theatre Beautiful in downtown. According to the project material, the concept features Main Street as “center stage,” while the parking lots and alleys … Continue reading Design proposed for downtown Miami
Category: Attractions
Rail and road attractions
The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press published a feature called Sunday Drive, for folks who want explore the high desert without shelling out a lot for gasoline. This one focuses a lot on the Harvey House in Barstow (which houses the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum) and another restored railroad station in the settlement of … Continue reading Rail and road attractions
Historic gas station placed on National Register
The National Park Service announced this week that the old Sprague's Super Service gas station, at 305 Pine St. in Normal, Ill., was named to the National Register of Historic Places, effective April 25. The circa-1930s station is now owned by Route 66 enthusiast Terri Ryburn, who hopes to eventually convert it into a bed-and-breakfast, … Continue reading Historic gas station placed on National Register
A visit to the Elk City museum
Here's two videos of a family's visit to the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Okla. Legend has it that the museum was started because Elk City was miffed that a rival town, Clinton, landed the internationally famous Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Clinton still has the best overall Route 66 museum. Elk City's is … Continue reading A visit to the Elk City museum
In praise of a public official …
Bill Farnham, a commissioner for the Pulaski County, Mo., board, appears to be doing his darnedest to repair the deteriorating Devil's Elbow Bridge in the Route 66 settlement of Devil's Elbow. From the Waynesville Daily Guide: Pulaski County Commissioner Bill Farnham has made restoration of the Devil’s Elbow Bridge on the original path of Route … Continue reading In praise of a public official …
Atlanta buying decorative lampposts
The beautification of Route 66 through Atlanta, Ill., continues. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that the town has bought at least six decorative lampposts and may buy up to 10 if enough locals sponsor them. The lampposts will be installed on the alignment of Arch Street, aka Route 66, through downtown. Sponsorships to help the town … Continue reading Atlanta buying decorative lampposts
Prime the pumps
The gas pumps at Roy's in Amboy, Calif., began working again in earnest on Thursday, reports the Inland Press-Enterprise. Hundreds of travelers, including motorcyclists on the annual Laughlin River Run, stopped in to cool off with sodas and water and to fuel their vehicles. Even before Okura formally reopened the restored gas station at 11:30 … Continue reading Prime the pumps
Endangered mansion has new owners
WJBC radio reports that the historic Duncan Manor mansion in Towanda, Ill., has new owners. Bud and Diane Sullivan are restoring the 1870s mansion that stands along I-55 and old Route 66. Diane told the crowd Tuesday night, the surrounding land is contracted to be farmed another two years. Then, residents will see more changes … Continue reading Endangered mansion has new owners
Thumbs down to poor tourism service
From the "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" column today in the Williams-Grand Canyon News in Williams, Ariz.: Thumbs down - Witnessed just last week - a tourist was asking a local store clerk for directions to westbound Historic Route 66 leading to Kingman. The store clerk was unable to provide the directions. Another one of our … Continue reading Thumbs down to poor tourism service
Ambitious plans for Miami
This story from the Miami (Okla.) News-Record about the town's future tourism efforts caught my eye with this excerpt (boldface type is my emphasis): Oklahoma is already investing in international tourism as state tourism officials have partnered with the state of Kansas to commit a half-million dollars to target international travelers. Barger said the investment … Continue reading Ambitious plans for Miami