Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena

The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association on Saturday unveiled along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, a replica of the Lightning McQueen character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars." Lightning is part of the Luigi's Pit Stop attraction on East Front Street (aka Route 66) in Galena, along with several other "Cars" characters. Much of … Continue reading Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena

Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

Today marks what is considered by many as the 95th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Highway 66, aka Route 66. As one who has run this website for 16 years and been involved on Route 66 for more than 20, I've got a few random thoughts from my time of reporting about this fabled … Continue reading Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

National Preservation Awards honors restoration of Black Officers Club at Fort Leonard Wood

The National Trust for Historic Preservation last week gave one of its National Preservation Awards to Fort Leonard Wood in mid-Missouri for restoring Building 2101, better known as the Black Officers Club. The building was notable in it contains a mural by Staff Sgt. Samuel Countee, whose work was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. The … Continue reading National Preservation Awards honors restoration of Black Officers Club at Fort Leonard Wood

“Guardian of Route 66” statue unveiled at Antares Point Visitors Center

Artist Gregg Arnold, known for his large Giganticus Headicus tiki sculpture at the Antares Point Visitors Center northeast of Kingman, Arizona, unveiled a new "Guardian of Route 66" statue Saturday at the center. Arnold took the cover off the 16-foot-tall statue shortly after noon with more than 100 people watching. Arnold announced the statue a … Continue reading “Guardian of Route 66” statue unveiled at Antares Point Visitors Center

A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

A replica of Lightning McQueen from the "Cars" animated movie series will be unveiled at noon Nov. 13 in Galena, Kansas, on Route 66 just north of Cars on the Route near the historic Front Street Bridge. Renee Charles, one of the co-creators of Cars on the Route, posted a "Meet Lightning" event on Facebook … Continue reading A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

Ribbon-cutting held for Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa

City officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday to mark the completion of the Route 66 Village Train Depot museum and events center in southwest Tulsa. According to the Tulsa World, the $3 million project was funded by voter-approved Vision Tulsa sales tax. “These things don’t happen by accident,” said Mayor G.T. Bynum, speaking to the … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting held for Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa

Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City marks 75 years by relighting its tower with LED

The Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City on Tuesday marked its 75th anniversary by relighting its iconic, art deco marquee with new LED tubing. The Billboard Museum posted a video of a countdown of the relighting ceremony: The museum also recently posted several vintage images of the theater in a preview of the ceremony: G&S … Continue reading Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City marks 75 years by relighting its tower with LED

Volunteers give a fresh look to Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce

After two weather-related delays, volunteers with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Saturday put a new coat of paint on the Allen's Fillin' Station in Commerce, Oklahoma. Here are before-and-after images and other photos of the historic gas station on an old alignment of Route 66 through town. The owner, Bobby Allen, posted more photos … Continue reading Volunteers give a fresh look to Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce

Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago

Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago

Creator of Giganticus Headicus to unveil 16-foot art creation on Nov. 6

Gregg Arnold, who created the 14-foot-tall Giganticus Headicus tiki sculpture nearly two decades ago, will unveil a 16-foot-tall art creation at the grand opening on Nov. 6 at the Antares Point visitor center and gift shop northeast of Kingman, Arizona. The grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Antares Point, at mile marker … Continue reading Creator of Giganticus Headicus to unveil 16-foot art creation on Nov. 6