The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public
Category: History
Archdiocese to mortgage iconic church in downtown Sante Fe to pay abuse settlements
The iconic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, will be mortgaged by the local archdiocese to help it pay off settlements to priests' sexual abuse victims. Archbishop John C. Wester laid out the plan in a letter to parishes earlier this month, reported the Albuquerque Journal. The Cathedral … Continue reading Archdiocese to mortgage iconic church in downtown Sante Fe to pay abuse settlements
Virtual open house on options for Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa runs through June 27
A virtual open house to explore options for the historic Bird Creek Bridge on northbound Route 66 near Catoosa, Oklahoma, runs through June 27, and the state Department of Transportation wants your input. Replacement of the 1956 bridge is being considered about a decade after the 1936 southbound bridge was replaced. That area, just north … Continue reading Virtual open house on options for Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa runs through June 27
Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, formerly Doc’s Soda Fountain, opens to the public
Doc's Just Off 66, formerly Doc's Soda Fountain in downtown Girard, Illinois, opened to the public a few days ago after an ownership change, extensive remodeling and forming new menus. The owners held a "super" soft opening on Saturday, then posted their menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and soda-fountain treats on Facebook shortly after … Continue reading Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, formerly Doc’s Soda Fountain, opens to the public
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to host Hall of Fame induction, Jerry McClahanan photo show
Next month, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton not only will host its biennial Hall of Fame induction, but a show of Jerry McClanahan's early photos of the Mother Road. More details in a news release from the museum and the Oklahoma Historical Society, which runs it, about the two events on July 9: … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to host Hall of Fame induction, Jerry McClahanan photo show
Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer
What's cool about Route 66 is you never stop learning something about it. That includes Kiddieland in Carthage, Missouri, which has been run by the local Kiwanis Club for more than 70 years. Kiddieland at 2000 Oak St. (aka Route 66) opened for the season during Memorial Day weekend. It opens each Saturday, and Sunday … Continue reading Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will undergo an extensive renovation and expansion in the next few years -- the first since the museum opened in 1938. The Joplin Globe reported: Letters from Will Rogers’ adolescence, glass slides of movie posters, studio contracts, movie scripts and costumes are just a few of the … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation
Irv’s Burgers stand returns on Route 66 in West Hollywood
It took four years, but the Irv's Burgers stand and its longtime operator, Sonia Hong, have returned just one door from its previous location along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California. The Hong family, which had owned the historic restaurant since 2000, left its longstanding landmark location in 2013 due to a landlord dispute. LA … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers stand returns on Route 66 in West Hollywood
Shakey’s Pizza in West Hollywood to be demolished for Tesla development
Shakey's Pizza, a fixture since 1964 along Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) in West Hollywood, California, will be razed to make way for a Tesla development that includes a supercharger station, drive-in theater and diner. Esotouric, which runs historic bus tours in Los Angeles and has been an advocate for historic preservation, was among … Continue reading Shakey’s Pizza in West Hollywood to be demolished for Tesla development
Casper’s Diner to move out of downtown Quonset hut into another location
The historic Casper's Diner, located for decades in a Quonset hut in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is moving to another location near a prominent alignment of Route 66. The Springfield News-Leader reported the restaurant will move from 601 W. Walnut St. and reopen in the old Anton's Coffee Shop building on 937 S. Glenstone Ave. in … Continue reading Casper’s Diner to move out of downtown Quonset hut into another location