National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express are offering another opportunity for restaurants to receive up to $40,000 from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership stated in a news release it is encouraging the many small, historic restaurants along Route 66 to apply for the grant, … Continue reading National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants

Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a five-year, $312,000 grant to a group of anthropologists so it can create a comprehensive map of the Cahokia Mounds site near Collinsville, Illinois. The project using magnetometry equipment would be the largest archaeo-geophysical project to date in all the Americas, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. For this project they … Continue reading Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis

Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests

Ramona Lehman apparently has sold the historic Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri. The new owner has pledged to keep its neon sign and rooms for overnight Route 66 travelers, though part of it will be designated to long-term renters. Reports of the Munger Moss' sale began surfacing Monday after Route 66 enthusiasts or those … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests

Threatt Filling Station near Luther may open to the public as an interpretive center by June

The historic Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, may open to the public as an interpretive center as soon as June, according to its owner. Edward Threatt, an owner of the station, gave the tentative date during an interview with KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. Threatt said renovating the long-closed business encountered some setbacks in recent … Continue reading Threatt Filling Station near Luther may open to the public as an interpretive center by June

40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66

The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, next month will install a 40-foot-long mural that honors that historic venue and Route 66, both of which will be marking their centennial in 2026. The Herald-News reports the Route 66 Rialto Twin Centennial Mural will be placed on the left side of the theater's entrance. Artist Dante … Continue reading 40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66

Rod’s Grill in Arcadia will close tomorrow as it undergoes a change in ownership

The historic Rod's Grill along Route 66 in Arcadia, California, is closing its doors Sunday before it undergoes a change in ownership, though plans for the restaurant remain unclear. The Romero family announced the closing and changes in a social media post on Wednesday: The Pasadena Star-News also reported on the restaurant's closing: According to … Continue reading Rod’s Grill in Arcadia will close tomorrow as it undergoes a change in ownership

Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting an exhibition about the "Negro Motorist Green Book" published during America's Jim Crow era from the 1930s to the 1960s. The Green Book, published by Victor Hugo Green, was an annual guidebook for African American travelers looking for nondiscriminating gas stations, restaurants, lodging establishments and other accommodations during the … Continue reading Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

NAU offers program to develop educational curriculum focusing on Route 66 history

Northern Arizona University is offering teachers across the United States a professional development opportunity called “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” which uses the historic road as a foundation to develop curriculum materials embedded in social justice to foster critical thinking in kindergarten through 12th-grade students.  The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s Research and Education Working Group partnered … Continue reading NAU offers program to develop educational curriculum focusing on Route 66 history

About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield

The Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, is due for $15.1 million in improvements under the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield: The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, … Continue reading About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield

Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

The landmark Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville, Missouri, will mark its 100th year with a celebration on April 1 at nearby Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. The party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, a Saturday. The park is easily accessed via Spring Road on the east side of Roubidoux Creek. According to the … Continue reading Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1