2018 cost-share grants for Route 66 sites announced

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Wednesday announced it awarded seven cost-share grants totaling about $87,000 for preservation or historical research. Since 2001, the program has awarded 146 cost-share grants totaling $2.17 million. The program tentatively has planned to award more grants in 2019 before it expires that year. Here are the 2018 awardees, … Continue reading 2018 cost-share grants for Route 66 sites announced

Afton Station owner David Kane dies in an accident

David M. Kane, 74, owner of the Route 66 landmark Afton Station Route 66 Museum in Afton, Oklahoma, died Wednesday after an accident at his home in Grove, Oklahoma. Kane's daughter, Sarah, confirmed by text her father died when a piece of farm equipment fell on him as he was working on it. An employee … Continue reading Afton Station owner David Kane dies in an accident

Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register

The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing to the National Register was effective July 23, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The former gas station at 9670 Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66) now serves … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register

Researcher of Negro Motorist Green Book lands publishing deal

Candacy Taylor, who for years has researched properties listed in a long-defunct annual publication called the Negro Motorist Green Book, announced over the weekend three books about it will be published by Abrams Books. The central book in the deal is titled "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and Roots of Mobility in Black America." It … Continue reading Researcher of Negro Motorist Green Book lands publishing deal

J.J. Cale mural at Soul City Gastropub lightly vandalized

Someone lightly vandalized the large mural depicting late Tulsa musician J.J. Cale on the side of Soul City Gastropub & Music House in Tulsa, but the owner may not press charges against the offender. The offense probably should be described as "light" because it's not obvious. Someone wrote messages on the strings and sound hole … Continue reading J.J. Cale mural at Soul City Gastropub lightly vandalized

Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop

Blueprint Coffee this month is opening a second St. Louis site in a 1940s-era auto-repair shop not far from the Route 66 landmarks Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and Donut Drive-In. Blueprint Coffee opened in 2013 in the Delmar Loop area of west St. Louis. The second place, opening in June, sits at 4206 Watson Road … Continue reading Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop

Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum dedicates 66-foot-tall gas pump

The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recently dedicated its 66-foot-tall gas pump more than two years after work on the project began. Attending the ceremony May 11 were Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Todd Lamb, state Rep. Kyle Hilbert, state Sen. James Leewirght, state Rep. Mark Lawson, museum founder and president … Continue reading Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum dedicates 66-foot-tall gas pump

Pump stolen from Miami gas station recovered

A nearly 100-year-old fuel pump stolen from a historic gas station along Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma, was recovered more than 100 miles away in southwest Missouri. The Miami News-Record reports the antique pump stolen Feb. 25 from the 1929 Marathon Oil gas station in south Miami was found at a store March 5 in … Continue reading Pump stolen from Miami gas station recovered

Land dispute may hold up restoration of Threatt Filling Station

Descendants of the family that ran the Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, want to reopen the Route 66 landmark as a visitors center and museum, but they first must resolve a land dispute involving the property. Built by Allen Threatt in 1915, the gas station remains one of the few surviving African-American-owned businesses along … Continue reading Land dispute may hold up restoration of Threatt Filling Station

Pump stolen from historic gas station in Miami

A nearly 100-year-old gas pump worth $5,000 recently was stolen from the historic Marathon Oil Co. gas station along old Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma. The theft prompted the station's owner to remove the other two gas pumps for safekeeping, reported the Miami News-Record. According to the police report, an unknown suspect removed one of … Continue reading Pump stolen from historic gas station in Miami