The New Mexico Tourism Department announced this week that it will distribute a total of $1.3 million in grants to Route 66 communities in fiscal year 2026 for marketing and promotion, special events and infrastructure, including a Route 66 musical road in Santa Rosa and restoration of a vintage gas station in Milan. The agency … Continue reading New Mexico Tourism awards $1.3 million in grants to Route 66 communities
Category: Attractions
Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford
A giant fiberglass astronaut was erected on Monday along Route 66 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, as a way to highlight the town's substantial space heritage. Wichita Mountains Life posted this video of the spaceman being assembled: The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce also posted photos of the installation: The big astronaut serves as a salute to … Continue reading Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford
Cars of the Mother Road features 13-foot-tall likeness of Williams mayor
Cars of the Mother Road in Williams, Arizona, recently paid tribute to former mayor John C. Moore by fashioning a 13-foot-tall, cowboy-hat-wearing likeness of him. The Williams Independent reported that Marshall Noriega wanted to spruce up his business with eye-catching elements before Route 66's centennial next year. He initially envisioned a tall cowboy, a saguaro … Continue reading Cars of the Mother Road features 13-foot-tall likeness of Williams mayor
Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66
Local officials, including the Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, presided Friday over a groundbreaking ceremony to move the historic but long-abandoned Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, to Route 66 in town and restore the neon. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa reported that a state Route 66 revitalization grant is covering $700,000 of the $1 million … Continue reading Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66
Study: Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo the seventh most-crowded place in Texas
A sports betting firm that analyzed online data listed Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo as the seventh most-crowded place in Texas. The Amarillo Globe-News, which flagged the study, reported that Canada Sports Betting issued the most-crowded list in the Lone Star State. The team at Canada Sports Betting analyzed TripAdvisor reviews for Texas’ top tourist destinations, … Continue reading Study: Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo the seventh most-crowded place in Texas
Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Two years ago, a $2 billion theme park off Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, was announced with much fanfare from the principals and area officials. Now, the Tulsa World reports that an apparent falling out between two of the project's principals has placed it in limbo. The newspaper reported the American Heartland theme park may … Continue reading Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita soon will add a second Muffler Man
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, recently announced it had acquired a second Muffler Man that will be added to its premises. The Route 66 restaurant stated on Facebook that it will move its Big Bill fiberglass statue next door to its Western Motel and its fabulous neon sign. That's so it makes way for … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita soon will add a second Muffler Man
Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Joel Baker, an expert on the Muffler Men made in the 1960s and '70s, reported something I've suspected for a few years -- that those fiberglass giants are seeing a big resurgence across the country. Baker in this recent video recounts all the activity seen with new and old Muffler Men, including along the Route … Continue reading Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau won a $150,000 state tourism grant for further restorations to Sprague’s Super Service in Normal, Illinois, before Route 66's centennial next year. According to WGLT radio, the money comes from the Route 66 Grant Program, which aims to preserve and educate travelers along the state's Route 66 corridor. The funds … Continue reading Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
Doug Quarles, creator of dozens of murals in Tucumcari, dies of cancer at 72
Doug Quarles, creator of an estimated 50 murals -- many along Route 66 -- in Tucumcari, New Mexico, died of colon and rectal cancer last week. He was 72. Several muralists have followed in his footsteps in Tucumcari, but his efforts, starting in 2003, raised the city's tourism profile and led the chamber of commerce … Continue reading Doug Quarles, creator of dozens of murals in Tucumcari, dies of cancer at 72