Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail

Five U.S. senators on Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the senators are Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. -- all from states where historic Route 66 traverses. Similar legislation is being brought … Continue reading Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail

Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway

While the Route 66-themed View Stop Park is being built on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, workers are seeking to find the original Route 66 roadway that went through there. The park will include a Route 66 centennial marker, a bridge overlook plaza, parking, wildflower gardens, a boulder playground, a “Get Your Kicks” photo-op … Continue reading Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway

“Singing highway” also coming to Route 66 in Winslow

Winslow, Arizona, will be another Route 66 town that will receive a so-called "singing highway." According to the September newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the city hired ROADTUNES to install rumble strips on Route 66 that will emit a melody when tires go over them at a certain speed. The association … Continue reading “Singing highway” also coming to Route 66 in Winslow

More details emerge on forthcoming “musical road” on Route 66 in Santa Rosa

The local newspaper in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, provided more details on a "musical road" coming to town. The city is receiving a $60,000 Route 66 centennial grant from the New Mexico Tourism Department to build two sets of musical rumble strips. According to the Guadalupe County Communicator (subscription required): Santa Rosa is planning two sets … Continue reading More details emerge on forthcoming “musical road” on Route 66 in Santa Rosa

“Route 66: The Main Street of America” filmmaker launches Kickstarter campaign

John Paget, who is directing the forthcoming documentary film "Route 66: The Main Street of America," has launched a Kickstarter campaign to generate finishing funds for the project. Paget set a goal of $41,500 in donations by Sept. 23. As of Saturday night, about $7,300 had been raised. The rewards for donations range from a … Continue reading “Route 66: The Main Street of America” filmmaker launches Kickstarter campaign

Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield

The City of Springfield, Illinois, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of a quarter-mile stretch of original Route 66 in Carpenter Park to the public. The 16-foot-wide roadway, which had served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1936, sat unused and mostly neglected for 90 years. More from Capital City Now: … Continue reading Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield

Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow reopens

The Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, reopened Saturday after the facility closed last summer. The museum hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting that day that included local and federal officials, plus an appearance by a tribute to a band known in "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" musical circles. The museum closed last summer … Continue reading Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow reopens

Dewey Avenue streetscape redesign project in downtown Sapulpa begins today

The long-awaited streetscape redesign for Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is scheduled to begin today. In a meeting with the city's downtown retailers and building owners last week, city manager Joan Riley confirmed the start date of the project, reported the Sapulpa Times. One of the most highly-anticipated parts of the … Continue reading Dewey Avenue streetscape redesign project in downtown Sapulpa begins today

Plans unveiled for Route 66 Research Center at UNM in Albuquerque

An award-winning architect recently unveiled plans for the federally funded Route 66 Research Center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The center, part of UNM's library system and its Center for Southwest Research, will be housed in a former Cadillac dealership. Architect Mark Baker is behind the plans. Among his numerous award-winning projects … Continue reading Plans unveiled for Route 66 Research Center at UNM in Albuquerque

West End Service Station in Edwardsville hosting a display on local Black history

The West End Service Station on Route 66 in Edwardsville, Illinois, is hosting a display on local Black history -- including a bit of the city's own -- through the end of this month. The former gas station at 620 St. Louis St. (aka Route 66), converted into a visitor's center in 2023, presents Black … Continue reading West End Service Station in Edwardsville hosting a display on local Black history