The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is celebrating Women's Equality Day with the 2023 edition of its Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program. The Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grant program provides critical and flexible funding to businesses and attractions located along Route 66 that are majority women-owned or operated. It is part of the Route … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead again is offering Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grants
Category: Businesses
Huge, American Heartland theme park planned for Vinita
An American Heartland theme park that is expected to cost billions of dollars to build and draw 5 million visitors a year is coming to the Route 66 town of Vinita, Oklahoma. The developers have an ambitious timeline of opening by 2026, which would be the centennial of Route 66. According to News on 6 … Continue reading Huge, American Heartland theme park planned for Vinita
Arizona Route 66 Association gives grants to Grand Canyon Caverns, Snow Cap Drive-In
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently announced it had awarded a $10,000 grant to Grand Canyon Caverns and a $5,000 grant to the Snow Cap Drive-In. The association stated in its newsletter the grant to Grand Canyon Caverns will help the Peach Springs landmark repair its elevator. The elevator broke down in October, … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association gives grants to Grand Canyon Caverns, Snow Cap Drive-In
Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers
Two consultants presented a multi-use concept, including railcars as hotel rooms, a microbrewery and a Route 66 room, for the long-abandoned Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, in the hope of drawing developers that can resurrect the declining historical site. The consultants from Kansas State University and South Dakota State University gave the concept in front … Continue reading Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers
Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle
The historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City soon will undergo extensive renovations and will be renamed Classen Circle as a nod to its historic, Route 66-aligned history. NIck Preftakes and partner Caleb Hill bought the building for $1.5 million last year. The Donnay, originally built in 1949, was added on to over the years in … Continue reading Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle
Gearhead Curios in Galena holds its official ribbon-cutting
Though it's been open for more than a year, Gearhead Curios in downtown Galena, Kansas, held its official ribbon-cutting on Saturday. The ceremony commemorated five years of renovations on the old Texaco site by owner Aaron Perry. Rhys Martin of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association was there when the deed was done: Another set of … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena holds its official ribbon-cutting
It may be days before Tulsa area recovers from widespread power outages due to storms
Tulsa-area officials said it may be "days, not hours" before the region restores electricity after storms rampaged over the weekend. The Tulsa World reported: “We are seeing damage that, when it’s all said and done, may not be quite as bad as the 2007 … ice storm, but it’s going to be close,” Tulsa Mayor … Continue reading It may be days before Tulsa area recovers from widespread power outages due to storms
Sapulpa sees strong business growth after the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute
A news release suggests strong business growth seen in recent months in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, might be tied to the enormous publicity and foot traffic from the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute during the holiday season. In case you missed it, the Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown consisted of 35,000 feet of lights, 1,100 … Continue reading Sapulpa sees strong business growth after the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute
The fourth edition of the Mother Road Route 66 Passport now is available
Touch Media, the folks behind the Route 66 Navigation app, announced this week the release of the fourth edition of its popular Mother Road Route 66 Passport. This year's edition contains 44 stops along Route 66 where travelers can have their passports stamped. More from the company's news release: The passport, now 82 pages, was … Continue reading The fourth edition of the Mother Road Route 66 Passport now is available
Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs
A developer that sought to build an ambitious Route 66-themed mixed-use project in Tulsa told the city this week it has withdrawn the proposal, citing a rise in construction costs that made it unfeasible. Sharp Development of Tulsa pulled out of the project this week after the city selected it from four proposals a year … Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs