When we'd last heard almost three years ago, a local man bought a 1920s Texaco station along old Route 66 in Foyil, Oklahoma, and shortly had it added to the National Register of Historic Places. The station's owner, Kean Isaacs, pledged to restore it to as close as its original look as possible. Last week, … Continue reading An update on the Texaco gas station in Foyil
Category: Gas stations
Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Roland Penttila, a reader of this website based in Albuquerque, emailed this 1955 newspaper clipping a few days ago: Penttila wrote: While many white families have fond memories of their auto adventures along Route 66 during its heyday, too little is remembered of how difficult it was for African Americans to travel U.S. highways including … Continue reading Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
A volunteer work crew from the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society helped the owner of the long-closed Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg, Missouri, clean his property before it undergoes an exterior restoration. The cafe -- named because of a low-clearance Frisco railroad bridge to the east -- closed about 50 years ago after a new alignment … Continue reading Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
Cucamonga Service Station wins Governor’s Award for preservation
The restored Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on Friday received one of six of the Governor's Historic Preservation Awards. The annual awards are sponsored by the California Office of Historic Preservation and California State Parks to projects, people and organizations "whose contributions demonstrate significant achievements in preserving the heritage of California," according … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station wins Governor’s Award for preservation
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