Less than a week after Landmarks Illinois declared Meramec Caverns barns one of the state's Most Endangered Historic Places, volunteers for the Illinois Route 66 Association repainted one near Cayuga. The association hailed the restoration project: Penny Black posted on Facebook a bunch of photos of the repainting process here. John Weiss of the association's … Continue reading Volunteers repaint Meramec Caverns barn near Cayuga
Category: Attractions
New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
The new Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri, officially debuted on Friday, giving a chance for signs orphaned from long-defunct Route 66 businesses to glow again. It took the Route 66 neon park more than 10 years to become a reality, but it's here. Here are scenes from the lighting ceremony: The park … Continue reading New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
Design revealed for east, west Route 66 welcome signs in Seligman
The folks who want to erect Route 66 welcome signs on the east and west edges of Seligman, Arizona, announced a design has been selected and that a request for proposals to build the signs soon will be sent to bonded and licensed contractors. According to drawings on the Seligman, AZ Welcome Arches page on … Continue reading Design revealed for east, west Route 66 welcome signs in Seligman
Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington
The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop, opened in early May just steps from the new location of the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The shop will be open from Thursday through Monday from noon to 6 p.m. through November. It's at 110 S. Park St. (map here), just off Route 66 in Wilmington. … Continue reading Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington
Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
City and local officials cut the ceremonial ribbon Saturday and held a soft opening for the Filling Station Visitor Center, housed in a former gas station, along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma. The $1.4 million renovation of the station at 120 S. Choctaw Ave. (aka Route 66) was funded by a grant from the … Continue reading Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
More details emerge about Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert
We've known for a while that the lighting ceremony for the new Route 66 Neon Park at George M. Reed Roadside Park in St. Robert, Missouri, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday. But a news release from the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau provides more details about the orphaned signs from Route 66 businesses in … Continue reading More details emerge about Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert
Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque may have inched closer to opening
The much-delayed Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side may have inched closer to holding a grand opening after the county approved a $250,000 appropriation for it. But, according to an Albuquerque Journal report, doubts about the project persist: However, during the April 22 meeting, the board raised questions about the project’s future and … Continue reading Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque may have inched closer to opening
Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Meramec Caverns barns, a few of which still stand along Route 66, were included on Landmarks Illinois' annual list of its Most Endangered Historic Places. This is what the nonprofit organization said about Meramec Caverns barns: Meramec Caverns is a cave network and tourist attraction located on Route 66 near Stanton, Missouri. In 1933, amateur … Continue reading Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced the third round of Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization grants totaling more than $5.5 million from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. Several grant recipients were already reported here, including to the town of Canute and the Bristow Historic Society. This is a complete list. "With the centennial fast approaching, more … Continue reading Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced
“Major” Route 66 sculpture planned near Rail Haven hotel in Springfield
City leaders in Springfield, Missouri, recently announced "a major sculpture" honoring Route 66 would be installed near the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven hotel. According to KSPR-TV in Springfield, the $1 million project will commemorate the city being the so-called "birthplace of Route 66" in 1926. Cora Scott of the city said it would … Continue reading “Major” Route 66 sculpture planned near Rail Haven hotel in Springfield