Atlas Obscura podcast features Mary Beth Babcock and her Buck Atom statue in Tulsa

A recent podcast by the Atlas Obscura travel website featured Mary Beth Babcock, owner and creator of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa, and the landmark Buck Atom fiberglass statue that anchors the site. It's an entertaining 11-minute podcast, and Babcock's irrepressible personality comes through: Babcock commissioned the Buck Atom statue … Continue reading Atlas Obscura podcast features Mary Beth Babcock and her Buck Atom statue in Tulsa

Albuquerque dedicates new bronze statues dedicated to “Breaking Bad” lead actors

Statues of the main characters of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman from the "Breaking Bad" drug kingpin drama were dedicated Friday at the Albuquerque Convention Center, with co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul present at the unveiling. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and "Breaking Bad" creator and director Vince Gilligan also attended the ceremony to dedicate … Continue reading Albuquerque dedicates new bronze statues dedicated to “Breaking Bad” lead actors

Never-before-seen diamond crystal structure found in a meteorite from Meteor Crater

Scientists recently found a unique structure of diamond and graphite in a meteorite that created Meteor Crater near Route 66 in northern Arizona that could hold big implications for the electronics industry. The Meteor Crater meteorite is known as the Canyon Diablo meteorite, which typically are named after nearby landmarks. Diablo Canyon is well known … Continue reading Never-before-seen diamond crystal structure found in a meteorite from Meteor Crater

New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

New murals that recently were painted in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois, and Yukon, Oklahoma, are brightening the drive on Route 66 in those towns. The one that was finished this week in Edwardsville is part of the Route 66 Mural Art Trail, where 12 murals are planned along Route 66 in Illinois. The Edwardsville mural … Continue reading New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

Weatherford dedicates Vietnam Memorial Wall replica, turbine-blade mural

The city of Weatherford, Oklahoma, recently dedicated along Route 66 a replica of Washington's Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall and a wind-turbine blade converted into a mural to commemorate such veterans. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City: The Replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall stretches 280 feet around Heritage Route 66 Park and came from American … Continue reading Weatherford dedicates Vietnam Memorial Wall replica, turbine-blade mural

Log cabin that was Jasper County’s first courthouse will be moved to Red Oak II in Carthage

A log cabin that served as Jasper County, Missouri's first courthouse in the 1840s will be disassembled, moved to the Red Oak II complex near Carthage and reassembled. The Joplin Globe had the story: Jonathan Sheldon and Larry Sernyk, an Indiana man who owns several properties at Red Oak II, reached an agreement recently that … Continue reading Log cabin that was Jasper County’s first courthouse will be moved to Red Oak II in Carthage

Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

More details about Oklahoma Tourism’s big ad buy in NYC’s Times Square

Oklahoma Tourism last week provided more details about the advertising, including for Route 66, which it recently purchased for the gigantic video screens at Times Square in New York City. The department stated this in a news release: Visitors near Father Duffy Square, a heavily trafficked pedestrian plaza, will be able to look up and … Continue reading More details about Oklahoma Tourism’s big ad buy in NYC’s Times Square

Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer

What's cool about Route 66 is you never stop learning something about it. That includes Kiddieland in Carthage, Missouri, which has been run by the local Kiwanis Club for more than 70 years. Kiddieland at 2000 Oak St. (aka Route 66) opened for the season during Memorial Day weekend. It opens each Saturday, and Sunday … Continue reading Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer

Albuquerque officials sponsor a resolution to give $250,000 to improve Route 66

Two Albuquerque city councilors have introduced a resolution to earmark $250,000 to improve the city's 18 miles of Route 66, including the rehabilitation of iconic signs. City councilors Klarissa Pena and Renee Grout have sponsored the resolution. Rachael Hernandez, an aide to Pena, stated in an email the resolution first will go to the city's … Continue reading Albuquerque officials sponsor a resolution to give $250,000 to improve Route 66