It's unthinkable now, but the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, once was very much in danger of being torn down a half-century ago. The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published an article about the history of the pier, including a successful grass-roots effort in 1973 to preserve it after the city council … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago
Category: History
American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
New, Route 66-themed mural unveiled for Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet
The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, recently held a private unveiling of the "Twin Centennial" mural that will be installed later this month outside of the historic theater. Dante DiBartolo's mural honors both the theater and Route 66, both of which will mark their 100th year in 2026. The theater showed what the mural … Continue reading New, Route 66-themed mural unveiled for Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet
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