The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day. Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book "Route … Continue reading Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
Category: History
Blueberry Hill in St. Louis marks its 50th anniversary today
The landmark Blueberry Hill restaurant, bar and music venue in suburban St. Louis is marking its 50th year in business today. Blueberry Hill isn't on Route 66, but it's such a touchstone, quite a few Route 66 travelers make a side trip to it. It's only a mile from the admittedly more obscure Forest Park … Continue reading Blueberry Hill in St. Louis marks its 50th anniversary today
Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri
Voters on the Yelp! review app recently named Carl's Drive-In restaurant in Brentwood, Missouri, as serving the best cheeseburger in the state. Carl's, which has stood along the original Manchester Road alignment of Route 66 for more than 60 years, was the only such restaurant on that historic highway to be bestowed the honor this … Continue reading Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri
Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award
Ramona Lehman, the longtime co-owner of the Route 66 landmark Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will receive a Community Achievement Award from that city's chamber of commerce in November. According to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, Lehman will be honored on Nov. 3 at the chamber's annual Wall of Honor Banquet. She was … Continue reading Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award
NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program
Northern Arizona University last week received a federal grant of $189,860 for its "Racialized Spaces on Route 66" for educators. According to a National Endowment for the Humanities news release, the grant will be used for "a combined virtual and residential program for 72 K–12 educators on the significance of race, place, and movement to … Continue reading NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program
Oklahoma Route 66 Association replacing “Roadside Attraction” signs in state
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association a few days ago announced it is replacing about a dozen "Roadside Attraction" signs erected by Hampton Inn at Route 66 sites across the state nearly 20 years ago. The association stated in a news release it was identifying the location, the sign's status and whether descriptive text needs to … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association replacing “Roadside Attraction” signs in state
J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
If you've never received a tour inside the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, a recent article by an area newspaper will give you the next best thing. The Bloomington Pantagraph posted a bunch of photographs and a video of the historic landmark just off Route 66 as part of its "Off Limits" … Continue reading J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
City officials consider plan to draw more visitors to Joplin History and Mineral Museum
City officials in Joplin, Missouri, gave initial approval to PGAV Destinations of St. Louis to examine the Joplin History and Mineral Museum and find ways to make it more attractive to potential visitors. I wouldn't necessarily say the Joplin Globe newspaper buried the lede, but the very last paragraph of its story stuck out: Because … Continue reading City officials consider plan to draw more visitors to Joplin History and Mineral Museum
Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
The Heartland of America Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma, recently opened an exhibit about the state's civil defense preparations amid the U.S.-Soviet Union Cold War. According to KCEO radio, Southwest Oklahoma State University history professor and museum board member Landry Brewer acquired those items for the “Preparing to Survive Nuclear Attack: Western Oklahoma Cold War Civil … Continue reading Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
West of Springfield, Missouri, down a rural section of Route 66, Yeakley Chapel boasts a congregation that predates the Mother Road by 60 years and a chapel itself that predates the highway by four decades. KSMU radio, a PBS station in the area, posted a story about the Methodist congregation there, which dates to the … Continue reading Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years