This video makes stops in the remarkable Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Mo. The one guy interviewed keeps calling it "Red Oaks II" for some reason. It also checks out the neon in Lebanon, Mo., focusing mostly on the Munger Moss Motel and recently revived Wrink's Market.
Category: Businesses
Picking up the pieces
Reader Dan Imming sent a few photos after the Green Parrot tavern on Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was demolished. The century-old building was structurally compromised when a sinkhole, caused by collapsing underground mine, opened behind the property. Imming says the demolition contractor is carefully salvaging the bricks, stone and wood, which will be used … Continue reading Picking up the pieces
Update those phone lists
On Sunday, the state of New Mexico added a new telephone area code of 575. Until recently, New Mexico was one of the few states left to have one area code -- 505. This change will affect a number of businesses on Route 66, including the towns of Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. Albuquerque, Grants, Las … Continue reading Update those phone lists
The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
The historic Green Parrot tavern, on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was torn down after collapsing underground mines severely compromised the integrity of the structure. KSN/KODE in nearby Joplin, Mo., has a report, including video of the demolition. The good news is that cleanup crews are sorting through the wreckage by hand and seek … Continue reading The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
Arizona launches asbestos removal plan for Route 66 properties
Asbestos removal remains a daunting problem for many of those who want to fix up aging buildings on the Mother Road. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has stepped in and decided to help Route 66 communities deal with the problem, reports the Arizona Capital Times. Many older buildings and structures along the Route 66 … Continue reading Arizona launches asbestos removal plan for Route 66 properties
Not fade away
While returning to Tulsa from a weekend outing in the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico, we saw a slight but welcome change to the restoration of the closed Lucille's near Hydro, Okla. See it? Here's a hint: The little Lucille's sign has been restored. The sign had continued to fade after Lucille Hamons' death in … Continue reading Not fade away
Skywalk road update
Roadside America has an interesting update about the horrible, 14-mile Diamond Bar Road that leads to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which is off Route 66. The developers of Skywalk spent millions of dollars on their horseshoe-shaped walkway, but apparently couldn't spent a million or two more to improve the primitive road leading to it. Complaints … Continue reading Skywalk road update
New paint job
We stayed at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., just a few months after owners Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson put a new, old coat of paint on the historic Route 66 motel. Kinder said he wanted to bring back the Blue Swallow to its original shades, circa 1939. Much of the complex was … Continue reading New paint job
A stroll through Seligman
Here's a video of the funky sights of the quintessential Route 66 town of Seligman, Ariz. You'll see a lot of the Sno-Cap Drive-In, Angel Delgadillo's barbershop and other businesses along the main drag.
More reports from Oklahoma 66 meetings
Required public hearings about designating Oklahoma's Route 66 a national scenic byway are working their way across the state, and reports from newspapers are coming with them. The Associated Press has an article. The Sapulpa Daily Herald has one. And the Daily Oklahoman in Oklahoma City attended a hearing in Edmond: "More neon,” Marilyn Emde … Continue reading More reports from Oklahoma 66 meetings