The Totem Pole Trading Post on Route 66 just west of Rolla, Mo., isn't going to close. But new ownership is taking over Friday afternoon, and the name -- which has been there since 1933 -- won't stay, according to the Rolla Daily News. According to this Rolla Chamber of Commerce release, Jones did not … Continue reading End of era at Totem Pole Trading Post (UPDATED)
Category: Businesses
Historic Barstow cafe torn down
Debra Hodkin, who runs the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., gave the Route 66 yahoogroup some bad news yesterday: Greystone Cafe at 31317 E. Main in Barstow, CA, is being torn down. This is a section of Route 66 where the road runs parallel with the freeway near the Marine Base. … Continue reading Historic Barstow cafe torn down
Tucumcari’s neon damaged
Severe thunderstorms struck the border lands of Texas and New Mexico on Friday, resulting in tornadoes in Logan and Clovis, N.M., and hailstorms in the Route 66 town Tucumcari, N.M., that knocked out many of the famed neon signs in town, according to the Quay County Sun. Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel … Continue reading Tucumcari’s neon damaged
Williams theme park update coming tonight
The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff reports that the Williams City Council will provide an update Thursday evening about a proposed theme park. The council will hold a behind-closed-doors executive session at 6 p.m. regarding the "purchase, sale or lease of real property" for Grand Canyon Northland Amusements & Entertainment. During the council's regular meeting … Continue reading Williams theme park update coming tonight
College students bring their ideas to Mother Road
This Associated Press story tells about Oklahoma's Scenic Byways program and how its federal funds can benefit towns and attractions along Route 66. It sounds like ideas are being kicked around, such as a Will Rogers statue in Bethany and an information kiosk in El Reno that looks like a vintage gas station. The more … Continue reading College students bring their ideas to Mother Road
Frankoma Pottery to make centennial plate
Oklahoma is celebrating its centennial this year. In this story in the Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press, local artist Murv Jacob has designed an Oklahoma Centennial clay plate. Who is producing the plate? Why, Frankoma Pottery on Route 66 near Sapulpa, of course. The plate should be available for sale "in a couple of months."
Vintage gas station being restored
KOTV in Tulsa has a short article about a vintage Phillips 66 gas station in downtown being restored to its former appearance, including photos. The Vickery Phillips 66 station is located at 602 S. Elgin Ave. It's going to be converted into a rental-car business. In September 2006, it was awarded a grant from the … Continue reading Vintage gas station being restored
Joplin’s Seventh Street may see a rebirth
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports an upswing in developer interest in Seventh Street, a prominent alignment of historic Route 66. In the past three years, the city has issued 38 commercial building permits for work on Seventh Street — for a total of more than $6 million in new construction and renovation of existing structures. … Continue reading Joplin’s Seventh Street may see a rebirth
Moriarty takes a shot at beautification
Here's another Route 66 town in addition to the previously mentioned Victorville, Calif., that's trying to spruce itself up -- Moriarty, N.M., east of Albuquerque. A firm presented a master plan to the Moriarty City Council, reported the Mountain View Telegraph. "The big idea behind it is looking at ways to use landscaping and public … Continue reading Moriarty takes a shot at beautification
Victorville’s Old Town tries to lure artists
This is rather bold. Tired of vacant storefronts in the Old Town area, the City of Victorville, Calif., recently purchased a laundry business so it can tear it down and erect a complex of 10 artist-friendly lofts in an effort to spark residential and retail development, the Victorville Daily Press reports. Developers already are showing … Continue reading Victorville’s Old Town tries to lure artists