Uranus Missouri owner’s film to debut in Waynesville on Oct. 16

Don't look now, but Louie Keen, owner of the Uranus Missouri complex along Route 66 in St. Robert, Missouri, is getting into the movie biz. Keen and co-executive producer JR Anthony will debut "Uranus Attacks" at B&B Theatres Waynesville Patriot 12 (map here) in nearby Waynesville, Missouri, at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16. Based on the trailer, … Continue reading Uranus Missouri owner’s film to debut in Waynesville on Oct. 16

Barbecue restaurant opening in Wrinks Market building in Lebanon

Smokin Jones BBQ is moving into the historic Wrinks Market building along Route 66 in Lebanon, Missouri, a few weeks after its previous tenant announced it was closing. According to the Laclede County Record, Smokin Jones also will offer fresh-made salads, plus pies made by Wrinks' pie maker. Food will be sold to-go. Mike Jones … Continue reading Barbecue restaurant opening in Wrinks Market building in Lebanon

Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa

The Guadalupe County Development Corporation's board plans $730,000 in renovations for the historic Ilfield-Johnson Warehouse in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Local officials also are applying for a grant from the New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Grant Program to improve business facades along Route 66. Longtime Route 66 News readers probably remember previous efforts to … Continue reading Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa

Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?

The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?

New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8

The specially commissioned, nearly 20-foot-tall "Big A the Texaco Giant" will be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8. ReGiant, specializing in working on Muffler Men, will install the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Enchanted Castle Studios made the figure itself. It has fabricated … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8

20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa

A 20-foot-tall Muffler Man named Meadow Gold Mack was installed Wednesday at the Meadow Gold Mack's Route 66 Outpost in Tulsa. It is the third such Muffler Man to be installed in a short stretch of Route 66 in Tulsa. Two are at the nearby Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66. All are the … Continue reading 20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa

Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24

Meadow Gold Mack in Tulsa announced its 20-foot-tall Mack the Friendly Lumberjack statue and its neon sign will be up during the store's grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 24. Meadow Gold Mack at 1306 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) is just down the street from Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24

Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21

A small but significant section of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, will be closed for about a year while a bridge is being replaced on the adjacent Turner Turnpike. The road closure will begin about Aug. 21, with detours onto county roads. Joe Echelle of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during a recent meeting provided details … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21

Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September

The historic Totem Pole Trading Post along Route 66 on the west side of Rolla, Missouri, will close in September after the retirement of longtime operator Tim Jones and his wife Alice. The State Historical Society of Missouri recently posted this reel of Jones on Facebook: The society stated: Tim's father bought the shop from … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September