The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, may be expanded to include a replica of future President Abraham Lincoln's 1844 cottage and the nearby Elijah Iles House, named for one of the city's early settlers. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation last week to expand the boundaries of the site, which is run … Continue reading Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded
Category: History
Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon is torn down
The closed Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, just down the road from the Route 66 landmark Munger Moss Motel, was demolished in recent weeks. The razing of the 80-year-old motel on the city's east side was reported by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. The motel originally was built in 1941 as the Green … Continue reading Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon is torn down
Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, recently acquired space that housed the world's first Dairy Queen restaurant. That first DQ, which opened in 1940, was in a brick, two-story building at 501 N. Chicago St., though the building itself dates to the 1890s. Greg Peerbolte, the museum's executive director, talked to the Joliet … Continue reading Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
The Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus recently added a big historical marker at the defunct Road Runner's Retreat restaurant and gas station near Chambless, California. The chapter describes itself as a "fun-loving, irreverent group dedicated to the preservation and documentation of the history of the west including native Americans, early settlers, the Gold … Continue reading Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced six grants this year totaling about $165,000 to varying historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretative and educational projects. I noticed the grant awards this year were capped at $30,000. Still, 30 grand is 30 grand. Here are the grant awards: Round Barn siding repair in Arcadia, OklahomaApplicant: Arcadia Historical … Continue reading Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Want an ownership piece of Mickey Mantle's childhood home just off old Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma? A collectibles investment firm is offering it for $7 a share. Mantle wore No. 7 when he played his fabled major-league baseball career with the New York Yankees. The Rally firm set up a website -- at themantlehouse.com … Continue reading Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, is looking for about $6 million in improvements to its Blue Whale site before Route 66's centennial in 2026. John Blish, the city manager, said he wants to add more amenities to the site to make it more tourist-friendly, according to a report from News on 6 in nearby Tulsa. … Continue reading Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
Amazing Grace Ministries seeks photos, stories about El Sueno Motor Court in Claremore
Amazing Grace Ministries is seeking photographs and stories about El Sueno Motor Court along old Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, so it can make appropriate repairs to at least one of the buildings. Laurie Paquette Ault, a member of the First Methodist Church in the city, said in a phone interview the owner has allowed … Continue reading Amazing Grace Ministries seeks photos, stories about El Sueno Motor Court in Claremore
Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025
The landmark Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is undergoing $27.5 million in renovations through the middle of 2025. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the project will include four new exhibits, more accessibility and structural improvements. The Old Courthouse is part of the nearby Gateway Arch National Park complex. Both are fewer than 10 blocks … Continue reading Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025
Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023
Angel Delgadillo, the Seligman, Arizona, barber who shepherded the creation of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987 and the designation of that state's Route 66 as a historic highway, will be honored Saturday as an Arizona Historymaker. The Arizona Historymakers Turquoise & Treasures Celebration will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023