Because the coronavirus has made air travel less attractive, U.S. tourists may turn more to road trips for their vacations in the coming months. The Pontiac Daily Leader, citing tourism officials in Illinois, said travelers are looking more toward driving destinations for vacations instead of far-flung spots by plane. “I think we’re going to see … Continue reading Tourists’ bigger commitment to road trips may help Route 66 in a COVID-19 world
Category: Attractions
Waynesville marks 30th year of Missouri’s Route 66 declared a historic district
Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission member Jackie Welborn (left) and former Missouri state Rep. Jim Mitchell attended Mayor Luge Hardman’s proclamation signing ceremony Thursday evening. Pulaski County Tourism Bureau was represented by Laura Huffman (right). The mayor of Waynesville, Missouri, on Thursday signed a proclamation recognizing the upcoming 30-year anniversary of Missouri’s designation of its … Continue reading Waynesville marks 30th year of Missouri’s Route 66 declared a historic district
Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will conduct a survey of historic assets along Route 66, but the Tulsa Route 66 Commission wants to conduct its own survey that includes the city's older alignment near downtown. According to Public Radio Tulsa: The state is taking an inventory of structures like movie theaters, gas stations and … Continue reading Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment
Part of Fort Courage Trading Post in Arizona damaged by fire; three arrested
Three people were arrested after an arson fire over the weekend destroyed one of the structures for the closed Fort Courage Trading Post complex near Houck, Arizona. Puerco Fire and EMS posted on its Facebook page: Southern Navajo Nation News posted a video from a bystander of the fire in progress: The Apache County arrests … Continue reading Part of Fort Courage Trading Post in Arizona damaged by fire; three arrested
Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
Jack Rabbit Trading Post has an emotional reopening after being closed 46 days
A number of Route 66 businesses have announced current or imminent reopenings after being shut down for weeks during the coronavirus pandemic. But this one, by the Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, is special. Check out this live video from Monday morning by co-owner Cindy Jaquez. Keep tissues handy: It had to … Continue reading Jack Rabbit Trading Post has an emotional reopening after being closed 46 days
The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader newspaper in Missouri has a regular feature that serves as an Answer Man column, where Steve Pokin tries to dig into and solve local mysteries -- some serious and some not-so-serious. Pokin was on vacation, so staff writer Wyatt Wheeler took over during the interim. Wheeler received this question in his email: … Continue reading The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
New Route Historical 66 Village neon sign lights the sky in Tulsa
The Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa lighted its new neon sign a few days ago -- one of at least a dozen new or restored neon signs along the historic highway in that city. Tulsa-area resident Susan Yates shared this short video and another clip of the animated sign on Facebook. Here's a … Continue reading New Route Historical 66 Village neon sign lights the sky in Tulsa
New murals add positive vides during a trying time
Two murals -- one in Albuquerque and another in Miami, Oklahoma -- seek to give people a positive outlook during the current coronavirus pandemic. The first mural by an artist named Paz is at Walter Street and Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports: The mural showcases two wings, in black … Continue reading New murals add positive vides during a trying time
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa throws the switch on its new neon sign
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa threw the switch on its new neon signs Wednesday evening during an event broadcast live on the internet because of the coronavirus pandemic. About 300 people tuned in on Facebook Live to watch the ceremony, which included honky-tonk music from Jacob Tovar and a documentary about … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa throws the switch on its new neon sign