Cool Springs Camp between Kingman and Oatman, Arizona, this year is marking the 20th anniversary of its improbable resurrection and reopening. "Improbable" is warranted because the old Route 66 gas station was abandoned for years, then literally blown up in a scene in the 1991 Jean Claude Van Damme movie "Universal Soldier." Here's the scene … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp is marking the 20th year of its resurrection
Category: Gas stations
Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
A distinctive but long-closed building that once housed a muffler shop in Holbrook, Arizona, was torn down in recent days. Local reports indicate the site will be used for a Dollar General store: It stood next to the landmark Wigwam Motel. As usual, the Route 66 Times website had information about the site at West … Continue reading Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
John Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs undergoing extensive repairs, thanks to Route 66 grant
The historic John Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs, Arizona, is undergoing extensive repairs after a 2021 windstorm, thanks in part to a $45,000 grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. According to a recent newsletter from the association, it awarded the grant to the Hualapai Tribe, which owns the station, to assist … Continue reading John Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs undergoing extensive repairs, thanks to Route 66 grant
First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri
The first Buc-ee's mega-convenience store along the Route 66 corridor opened Monday on the northeast side of Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield Buc-ee's sits just north of Interstate 44 and Old Route 66, off Exit 84. Here's a report from OzarksFirst.com on the opening day: Here's a video report from opening day: https://youtu.be/Bxw3dprUsN8?si=ZRvkhgJHF4AY8h1x When we call … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri
OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther
A University of Oklahoma team recently received funding from the nonprofit Oklahoma Humanities organization to develop a Route 66 Placemaking Communities Retreat that includes a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma. The team also wants to develop a Route 66-themed design experience in Hydro, Oklahoma. The efforts are being done before Route … Continue reading OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther
Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center
The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, recently opened to the public its Boots Court Motel Visitors Center, housed in a former Sinclair gas station adjacent to the Route 66 property. The motel opened the facility during Maple Leaf Festival weekend, which is Carthage's biggest event. More about it: A grand opening for the … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center
Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
The Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus recently added a big historical marker at the defunct Road Runner's Retreat restaurant and gas station near Chambless, California. The chapter describes itself as a "fun-loving, irreverent group dedicated to the preservation and documentation of the history of the west including native Americans, early settlers, the Gold … Continue reading Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
The town council of Normal, Illinois, recently voted to spend $300,000 on work on three historic properties in the city, including the Sprague's Super Service Station along Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The station's previous owner, Terri Ryburn, told Route 66 News the work will include removing the 1960s one-bay garage and restoring the … Continue reading City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
Owner of Roy’s Motel and Cafe plans to reopen cabins and cafe sometime next year
Tucked into a long feature about Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, California, was this newsworthy nugget: The owner plans to reopen the cabins and cafe to overnight travelers sometime in 2024. SF Gate published a feature about the Route 66 landmark and owner Kyle Okura, who has taken over its operations after his father … Continue reading Owner of Roy’s Motel and Cafe plans to reopen cabins and cafe sometime next year
Holbrook restaurant returns original and restored Richfield gas station sign
The Colonel Mustard Hot Dogs restaurant in Holbrook, Arizona, recently returned an original and restored Richfield gas station sign that once stood at the site. Colonel Mustard Hot Dogs at 459 Navajo Blvd. (aka Route 66) opened in May, with Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dogs among its offerings. Aaron and Becki Colon own the restaurant. Aaron … Continue reading Holbrook restaurant returns original and restored Richfield gas station sign