There’s a new Sheriff in Galena

A new attraction has been placed along old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas -- and the folks there are putting the Sheriff of Radiator Springs on a pedestal. A facsimile of the 1949 Mercury police car that served as the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the 2006 animated film "Cars" now sits on lift above … Continue reading There’s a new Sheriff in Galena

Enjoy the ruins of Two Guns, Arizona, while you can

Recently, KJZZ radio featured the long-abandoned Two Guns site -- best known for its stone structure inscribed with the words "Mountain Lions" near the entrance -- for its "Untold Arizona" series. You can hear the 4 1/2-minute segment below, or so to the station's website to see pictures of Two Guns, including an image of … Continue reading Enjoy the ruins of Two Guns, Arizona, while you can

Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial

Route 66 Crossroads, a new nonprofit organization based in Kingman, Arizona, will focus on the highway's 2026 centennial among its goals to boost tourism and economic opportunities for communities along the Mother Road. Route 66 Crossroads, a federally recognized nonprofit that formed March 1, stated in a news release last week: The organization will be … Continue reading Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial

Painted Desert Trading Post gets a new roof

The ongoing quest to stabilize the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post building in eastern Arizona received a major boost last week when volunteers installed a new roof on the structure. Workers -- many with the Route 66 Co-op that owns the landmark -- stripped off the porous and rotted old roof, installed a new roof … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post gets a new roof

Fire-ravaged Shirley’s Tavern in Carterville will reopen Friday

The century-old Shirley's Tavern in Carterville, Missouri, that was gutted by fire more than a year ago will reopen Friday under new ownership. According to the Joplin Globe, new owners Courtney and Brock Powell spent seven months reconstructing the tavern after the fire in December 2017. “I was pretty devastated after the fire because there … Continue reading Fire-ravaged Shirley’s Tavern in Carterville will reopen Friday

Junction 66 store opens in Sapulpa

Junction 66, a grocery store and full-service restaurant with gas pumps, opened Monday along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. KTUL-TV of nearby Tulsa had the story: "People can come in, order off the menu for dinner and they can grocery shop," said Junction 66 Manager Bonnie Barrera. "They can get their items to take home … Continue reading Junction 66 store opens in Sapulpa

Route History store combines Route 66 souvenirs, local African-American history

The Route History store in Springfield, Illinois, held a soft opening Friday. It's a combination Route 66 souvenir store and a tribute to African-American history in the area. It sits at 737 E. Cook St. (map here) in the former Just Off Route 66 Sandwiches & Souvenirs building, about two blocks west of the Ninth … Continue reading Route History store combines Route 66 souvenirs, local African-American history

Tulsa’s neon-sign grant program begins April 1

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission soon will begin its fledgling neon-sign program with $40,000 in the bank for starters. According to Public Radio Tulsa, the city recently gave approval for the grant program to begin along Route 66: "It’ll be up to a dollar-for-dollar match. Whoever is creating this sign, the applicant is going to have … Continue reading Tulsa’s neon-sign grant program begins April 1

Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 to celebrate Muffler Man addition May 11

Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa will hold a celebration for the addition of its new Muffler Man fiberglass statue starting at 10 a.m. May 11 with music, food and area celebrities. Joel Baker, known for the American Giants documentary series on YouTube, and his team will install the 20-foot-tall Muffler Man, … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 to celebrate Muffler Man addition May 11

The key player in Tulsa’s 11th Street revitalization

A few days ago, the Tulsa World newspaper ran a column about local developer Aaron Meek and the recent opening of Meadow Gold lofts near the historic Meadow Gold sign along Route 66 in Tulsa. Meek's father and two uncles once owned Meek's Furniture along 11th Street (aka Route 66) until the neighborhood declined and … Continue reading The key player in Tulsa’s 11th Street revitalization