A well-researched story this week in the Tulsa Business Journal tells about the sad state of affairs of the closed Frankoma Pottery business in nearby Sapulpa, Okla., off old Route 66. Closed March 19 last year, the plant’s telephone numbers are out of service, and the home page for its website, www.frankoma.com, simply reads, “This site … Continue reading Frankoma Pottery remains in limbo
Category: Businesses
Longtime manager buys, reopens Eisler Bros. Store
That was a short hiatus. Scott Nelson, longtime manager of the historic Eisler Bros. Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kan., has purchased and reopened the business after it was shut down indefinitely Dec. 5 during ownership wrangling. Eisler Bros. reopened Friday. Nelson, who's managed the Route 66 grocery and souvenir shop since 1980, said in … Continue reading Longtime manager buys, reopens Eisler Bros. Store
Vega Motel shows signs of new life
The Vega Motel boasts a new owner who's converted part of the historic Route 66 motel in Vega, Texas, into a business center, and wants to reopen part of the property for overnight guests again. Darren Elliott, pastor of Christ's Community Fellowship church in Vega, bought the property during a tax auction in June, remodeled a … Continue reading Vega Motel shows signs of new life
Eisler Bros. Store in limbo
The historic Eisler Bros. Old Riverton Store on old Route 66 in Riverton, Kan., closed last week amid a possible ownership change, according to the store's longtime manager, Scott Nelson. The store, which has operated continuously since 1925, closed at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and will remain shuttered indefinitely. "It has nothing to do … Continue reading Eisler Bros. Store in limbo
Galena bridge reopens to traffic
A few days ago, Melba Rigg at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., passed along good news -- the historic Front Street Bridge that was closed to traffic for repairs has reopened. The bridge, which actually is a 216-foot-long railroad viaduct, was built in the early 1920s, and incorporated as Route 66 when … Continue reading Galena bridge reopens to traffic
Prominent Lebanon business founder dies
Rea Wallace Reid, co-founder of the Shepherd Hills Factory Outlet Stores in Lebanon, Mo., that sprouted billboards along Route 66, died Monday at age 77, according to the News-Leader in Springfield, Mo. Shepherd Hills was hard to ignore. Billboards advertising Shepherd Hills' Case pocket knives, Chicago Cutlery, and pottery remain dotted along the Interstate 44 … Continue reading Prominent Lebanon business founder dies
The year in review at one little corner of the Mother Road
The good folks at the Historic Seligman Sundries coffee bar in Seligman, Ariz., put together a compilation of highlights from the past year.
Route 66 being used to help sell Camel cigarettes
For the last few weeks, an online promotion by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has been using Route 66 and related images from the historic highway to help promote its Camel cigarettes. This was revealed in a news release today by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which is criticizing RJR's "Break Free Adventure" campaign for allegedly trying … Continue reading Route 66 being used to help sell Camel cigarettes
Moving day
Here's a video from The Oklahoman of the 66 Bowl neon sign being dismantled and taken away last week. It's a final chapter of the historic 66 Bowl, which was recently sold to the Spices of India grocery store. The bowling alley's content's were auctioned shortly after that, with the JYD team buying the sign … Continue reading Moving day
Fire damages closed motel near Oro Grande
A fire on Monday damaged the former King's Court motel along old Route 66 in Oro Grande, Calif., reported the Victorville Daily Press. The especially tragic part of the blaze was the its owner was in the midst of renovating the long-closed 1940s motel. The owner, Nancy Brooklier, also owns the nearby Antique Station. One … Continue reading Fire damages closed motel near Oro Grande