The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City is hosting an exhibit on pop-art icon Ed Ruscha and the first-ever examination of his roots, including his Sooner State upbringing and the impact of Route 66 on him. The center's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery is hosting the show in his hometown until July 5. Free tickets … Continue reading New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
Category: Gas stations
Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money and matching funds for a campaign to bring back neon lighting at the former Texaco gas station that is Gearheads Curios in Galena, Kansas. Association President Rich Dinkela outlines the campaign in this video: The association will match funds up to $2,500, with the goal of … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
The FourWay restaurant in Cuba has closed
The operator of the FourWay restaurant, housed in a vintage Phillips 66 gas station in Cuba, Missouri, announced last week it closed for good in late December after five years at a prominent corner of Route 66. Joan Patrice Weir posted this on Facebook with the announcement on Friday: https://www.facebook.com/fourway66/posts/2814134562167088 Weir elaborated a bit more … Continue reading The FourWay restaurant in Cuba has closed
Owner of Ann’s Chicken Fry House building wants to open a retro diner there
The owner of the recently closed Ann's Chicken Fry House building in Oklahoma City said he wants to open a retro diner at that location. The Oklahoman newspaper confirms what had been rumored with building owner Tony Maxey for several weeks since the restaurant closed: Maxey wanted to purchase Ann's and reopen it, but that … Continue reading Owner of Ann’s Chicken Fry House building wants to open a retro diner there
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April
The owners of Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, said on social media Thursday they plan to install neon lighting at their former gas station by April 21. The social media post included a rendering of the neon added to an existing photo of the site: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1124595541308380&id=550734662027807 Gearhead Curios said anyone who wants … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April
POPS in Arcadia undergoes a change in ownership
The POPS convenience store and restaurant, renowned worldwide for offering more than 500 types of soda and its 66-foot-tall LED soda bottle that stands along Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, quietly changed owners several weeks ago. US Star Properties LLC of nearby Edmond, Oklahoma, purchased the property on Nov. 19 for $2.22 million, according to … Continue reading POPS in Arcadia undergoes a change in ownership
Library of Congress puts Negro Motorist Green Book interviews online, including Threatt Filling Station’s
The Library of Congress recently posted online photographs and taped interviews of the owners of surviving African American businesses for Candacy Taylor's Negro Motorist Green Book research. One of the interviewees is Allen Threatt of the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. The collection, found here, includes interview subjects from Miami, Florida; … Continue reading Library of Congress puts Negro Motorist Green Book interviews online, including Threatt Filling Station’s
Long-closed gas station in Miami to be converted into Route 66-themed restaurant
A long-vacant gas station at a prominent corner of Miami, Oklahoma, will be converted into a Route 66-themed bistro, tea house and ice cream shop. The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma recently purchased the former Texaco station that dates to the 1920s, reported the Miami News-Record. The property sits at South Main Street and Steve Owens … Continue reading Long-closed gas station in Miami to be converted into Route 66-themed restaurant
Cash register from Threatt Filling Station to be part of Smithsonian exhibition
The original cash register used in the historic Threatt Filling Station on Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma, is on display as part of the Smithsonian's "The Negro Motorist Green Book" exhibition at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. According to The Luther Register, the cash register is on loan during a three-year national tour … Continue reading Cash register from Threatt Filling Station to be part of Smithsonian exhibition
Some stucco repairs made to Painted Desert Trading Post
Volunteers recently spent a few days performing stucco repairs to the long-abandoned Painted Desert Trading Post building in eastern Arizona before winter sets in. When the group returns in the spring, it'll finish the stucco work, then Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan eventually will repaint the faded letters on the building. Mike Ward … Continue reading Some stucco repairs made to Painted Desert Trading Post