Laurel Kane will be inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame posthumously later this year, it was learned Saturday during a celebration of her life. A panel from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association selects two winners — one living and one deceased — from a list of … Continue reading Laurel Kane will be inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Cars on the Route put up for sale

Cars on the Route of Galena, Kansas, which helped usher in a revival of its downtown, is being put up for sale. It will remain open, however, for at least a few more weeks to greet Route 66 tourists. Renee Charles, one of the founders of the business almost 10 years ago, and partner Brian Jordan … Continue reading Cars on the Route put up for sale

Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station

The daughter of Gary Turner reopened the much-loved Gay Parita gas station west of Halltown, Missouri, 15 months after its patriarch died at age 70. Barbara Turner moved into her father and mother's home behind the Route 66 landmark less than two weeks ago. She quit her longtime job as a theater manager and sold … Continue reading Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station

Ambler-Becker Texaco station to host 90th birthday for Route 66

An early birthday party for Route 66 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 21 at the historic Ambler-Becker Texaco station in Dwight, Illinois. Although Route 66 doesn't officially turn 90 until Nov. 11, this no doubt will be one of many events marking that anniversary throughout the year. According to a news … Continue reading Ambler-Becker Texaco station to host 90th birthday for Route 66

Marathon Oil station in Miami sold at auction

The historic Miami Marathon Oil Station on an old alignment of Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma, sold for $18,000 at auction Friday, but its new owner remains unknown for now. The Joplin Globe newspaper reported the station's new owner declined to identify himself or do interviews. The deal for the station should be close in about 30 … Continue reading Marathon Oil station in Miami sold at auction

Laurel Kane celebration of life set for April 30

A celebration of Laurel Kane's life is scheduled for midday April 30 at her beloved Afton Station on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma. The announcement was made this week on a new Facebook page: There was no place where Laurel was happier than Afton Station and nothing she loved more than a celebration. That said we … Continue reading Laurel Kane celebration of life set for April 30

1929 Marathon station in Miami will be auctioned

The historic Marathon station in Miami, Oklahoma, on old Route 66 will be auctioned at 9 a.m. April 8. The station, built in 1929, sits at 331 S. Main St., part of the oldest alignment of Route 66 in Miami. That segment leads to the so-called 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway on the south edge of town. Cindy … Continue reading 1929 Marathon station in Miami will be auctioned

Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

Springfield, Illinois, may add a tax-increment financing district to declining Peoria Road, which is historic Route 66 in the town's north side. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay a part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements for businesses. Anecdotal evidence existed the Peoria Road district was in decline, but WRSP-TV had … Continue reading Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

An interview with Laurel Kane

In 2012, Afton Station matriarch Laurel Kane was interviewed by Simon Cantlon and Justin Nathanson for their "Motels on Route 66" documentary film. The duo still are working on their movie. However, with the announcement of Kane's death last week, they decided to quickly edit that footage and release to the world. "We are deeply saddened … Continue reading An interview with Laurel Kane

Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies

Laurel Kane, 69, matriarch of the Afton Station visitors center on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, died Thursday from a short illness as the result of a fall at her home in Tulsa earlier in the week, according to her former husband, David Kane. David Kane said by phone Laurel died peacefully with him, her daughter and longtime … Continue reading Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies