First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program

The Billy Ray's BBQ and Catfish neon sign glowed again for the first time in years Wednesday evening after city officials threw the switch. The restaurant's sign was the first to complete the city's neon-sign grant program. Here's a video from the scene by KTUL-TV: According to Public Radio Tulsa, the Billy Ray's sign had … Continue reading First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program

Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building

The Development Review Committee of the city of Monrovia, California, last week approved a proposal to reuse the former Monrovia Market building as a Route 66 automotive museum and special event center. Artist's rendering of adapted Monrovia Market building. The proposal advances to the city's Planning Commission on Sept. 11. The building is at 525 … Continue reading Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building

A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla

The Phelps County Focus newspaper recently published a nice profile of the owners of the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri. The Totem Pole proclaims itself the longest-running Route 66 business in Missouri. It dates to 1933, when the business was further east, closer to the ghost town of Arlington, Missouri, although one of … Continue reading A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla

Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip

Here's a little side trip from Route 66 in southwest Missouri that's probably worth taking: a barn that's been converted into a shop for new and used vinyl records. The place is called Vintage Vinyl Purveyor, on the northeast side of Joplin. It's also close to the fellow Route 66 towns of Carterville and Carthage. … Continue reading Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip

Owners of Painted Desert Trading Post close access until mid-October

The owners of the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona temporarily have closed access to the historic Route 66 site because the locks and chain the entrance gates recently were removed. Jim Ross, one of the members of the Route 66 Co-op that purchased the property last year, wrote Friday on Facebook: I … Continue reading Owners of Painted Desert Trading Post close access until mid-October

Route 66 business owners in Tulsa brace for street work

A significant part of Route 66 in Tulsa will undergo major renovations this fall, and several business owners along it have voiced concerns about the effect the eight-month project will have. The Meadow Gold sign in 2009, which is a part of 11th Street in Tulsa between Peoria Avenue and Utica Avenue. KTUL in Tulsa … Continue reading Route 66 business owners in Tulsa brace for street work

Should Tulsa Route 66 Commission lobby against auto shops?

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission generally does good things for the Mother Road in northeast Oklahoma, but this story from KTUL caught my eye for a less-positive reason: If you drive the four-mile stretch of 11th Street, you’ll pass 59 used car dealerships."It's car lot after car lot, which is really not engaging people in … Continue reading Should Tulsa Route 66 Commission lobby against auto shops?

De Anza Motor Lodge likely will be booking overnight guests in early October

The soon-to-reopen De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque likely will begin booking overnight guests in the hotel part of the business by early October. An article in the Albuquerque Journal this week about De Anza and other developments in the Nob Hill neighborhood stated those who had reserved apartments at De Anza likely will be … Continue reading De Anza Motor Lodge likely will be booking overnight guests in early October

Route 66 Navigation app adjusting routes ‘to deliver the best experience’

The creator of the paid Route 66 Navigation app announced this week the app's routes through Kingman, Arizona, and Cuba, Missouri, have been adjusted so they could "deliver travelers the best experience on historic Route 66." Marian Pavel, CEO of Slovakia-based Touch Media, also said he soon would adjust routes through Albuquerque and St. Louis … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app adjusting routes ‘to deliver the best experience’

A new law makes it harder for company to pump water from the Mojave Desert

A company that wants to pump billions of gallons of water from under the Mojave Desert will have a tougher time doing so after a new state law went into effect last week. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that requires extra environmental reviews before Cadiz Inc. can pump water from a … Continue reading A new law makes it harder for company to pump water from the Mojave Desert