Dozens of residents gathered Thursday to dedicate the new Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park on the east edge of Webb City, Missouri. The park sits on a formerly grubby triangle of land near Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co., which was a major driver of the project, including a $25,000 donation from the company's president. The park … Continue reading Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City dedicated
Category: Attractions
Grand Canyon Caverns soon will open Grotto underground dining area
Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, in early August will open a Caverns Grotto on an elevated platform as a specialty underground dining area. Frank Kocevar, former owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in nearby Seligman, Arizona, had some details in an email: A winding walkway takes you to the platform. The raised platform will … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns soon will open Grotto underground dining area
Fanning 66 Outpost soon will reopen
The closed Fanning 66 Outpost, best known for the formerly World's Largest Rocker on its premises, will reopen later the summer after a local businessman bought it. Ryan Thompson, owner of Route 66 Mercantile in nearby Cuba, Missouri, closed on the purchase of the property this week. Route 66 Mercantile is part of the former … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost soon will reopen
Route 66 has spawned many “new” places
A reader over the weekend asked me what are some of the "new" businesses or attractions on Route 66 in the past 10 years or so. Naturally, this sort of question sent me down a rabbit hole of research for hours. I set the "new" criteria as the post-"Cars" era -- since the 2006 release … Continue reading Route 66 has spawned many “new” places
Fire destroys a building inside Joliet Correctional Center
An industrial building inside the historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, burned to the ground earlier this week, and a juvenile was charged with starting the blaze. The Daily Southtown reported: Joliet police received numerous Crime Stoppers tips from a social media post Tuesday morning seeking to identify two males who were seen inside … Continue reading Fire destroys a building inside Joliet Correctional Center
Tulsa will add markers to historic Route 66 sites
The city of Tulsa recently issued a request for a proposal from prospective contractors to place historical markers or plaques near Route 66 sites. The request by the city is here; the proposal must be submitted by June 14. In summary, the RFP says: The City of Tulsa seeking professionally qualified individuals and firms to … Continue reading Tulsa will add markers to historic Route 66 sites
Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
While tourists continue to visit the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois, despite the closing of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in 2013, one new twist recently emerged -- visitors slapping stickers on the iconic fiberglass figure. According to the Daily Journal, Wilmington Mayor Roy Strong and some residents don't have a problem with tourists affixing … Continue reading Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
The highs and lows of Williams, Arizona
Williams, Arizona, burgeons with tourists and few storefront vacancies along its downtown Route 66 corridor these days. Yet it also battles with long-term problems. The Arizona Daily Sun newspaper in nearby Flagstaff published a report on the renaissance of Williams and the challenges the Route 66 town still faces. You can read the whole thing … Continue reading The highs and lows of Williams, Arizona
The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
The historic neon sign for the now-gone The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, may return to a parking lot at a McDonald's along Route 66 by spring 2018. That scenario became more likely after the city approved an easement with Franchise Realty Investment Trust on behalf of the McDonald’s to install the sign at the lot … Continue reading The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
Mural Fest 66 adds five murals to Miami in a few days
Miami, Oklahoma, wanted to add some murals to brighten up the Route 66 town. Thanks to the inaugural Mural Fest 66 last month, it added five murals to the city during a weekend. Here's a video of highlights from the festival: https://vimeo.com/216059105 According to a story by columnist Marta Churchwell in the Joplin Globe, the … Continue reading Mural Fest 66 adds five murals to Miami in a few days