A cottage-style gas station in Oklahoma City that dated to the beginnings of Route 66 was torn down in recent weeks to make way for a fast-food restaurant, according to the OKC Central blog, which is affiliated with The Oklahoman newspaper. The long-closed station stood at Pennsylvania Avenue and Northwest 23rd Street (aka Route 66). … Continue reading Historic gas station in Oklahoma City torn down
Category: Gas stations
A look back at Lucille Hamons
Bob Hall, who used to work at KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, posted this report from 1988 about Lucille Hamons, owner of Lucille's service station on Route 66 in Hydro, Okla. This is interesting to watch, mostly because it was before Michael Wallis' best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" was published, kick-starting Route 66's renaissance. https://youtu.be/8Gr8KrSRYn4 … Continue reading A look back at Lucille Hamons
More work on the Midway Trading Post
We recently passed along a report about a group of volunteers sprucing up the long-closed Midway Trading Post on old Route 66 between Moriarty and Edgewood, N.M. The work continued this week, which this great-looking Route 66 shield painted on a boxcar sitting on the property, painted by Willy Fisher. This video is in time-lapse: … Continue reading More work on the Midway Trading Post
Volunteers clean up Midway Trading Post property
About 60 volunteers recently cleaned the long-closed Midway Trading Post on old Route 66 between Edgewood, N.M., and Moriarty, N.M. https://youtu.be/Nw_b3R-mfGM The cleanup was done under the auspices of the RETRO -- Relive the Route committee. Roger Holden, who leads the committee, said this about the Midway: It was built around 1945 and served as … Continue reading Volunteers clean up Midway Trading Post property
Cucamonga Service Station supporters win tax break
A group that wants to preserve the historic Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was awarded a property-tax break from the city, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. The money saved will be used to help restore and maintain the Route 66 landmark, the group said. The group hopes to turn the site into … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station supporters win tax break
Bill Shea Gas Station Museum now open by appointment
Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., is now open by appointment with help from the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau after being closed for much of the late winter and spring. The increasingly frail Shea, 91, was admitted to a nursing home in December. His son, Bill Jr., closed the … Continue reading Bill Shea Gas Station Museum now open by appointment
Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery
The old Wagon Wheel Lodge east of Williams, Ariz., on Route 66 is being transformed into the Wagon Wheel Winery by its new owners, reported the Grand Canyon News. More details from the newspaper about the 10-acre property at 7545 E. Old Route 66: Ann and Louie Serna planted about 1,200 grapevines on the property … Continue reading Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery
Galena’s remarkable comeback story
It's not out of the woods yet, but the long-moribund Route 66 town of Galena, Kan., is looking more prosperous these days. The Joplin Globe newspaper, based in nearby Joplin, Mo., published a long story about the town's comeback. The whole thing is worth reading, but I'll highlight what has happened in Galena in recent … Continue reading Galena’s remarkable comeback story
On the trail of Ed Ruscha
Students from the University of Oklahoma traveled Route 66 to find the remnants of gas stations portrayed in photographer Ed Ruscha's influential 1963 art book, "Twentysix Gasoline Stations," according to the Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner. The effort is part of Road to Ruscha, a two-week course that offers three college credits and a road trip … Continue reading On the trail of Ed Ruscha
New Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced
The Route 66 Association of Illinois will induct three new members to its Hall of Fame on June 8, during its annual Hall of Fame banquet in Lincoln, Ill., reported the Morris Daily Herald. The newspaper said the association received 17 nominations for the annual induction. The Class of 2013 in the Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading New Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced