The relocated and reconstructed London Bridge today is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of that historic span in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to a recent newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the bridge reopened on Oct. 10, 1971, on the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City is about 30 miles … Continue reading London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
Category: History
Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album
Western swing band Asleep At the Wheel last week released an album that marks its 50th anniversary, "Half of a Hundred Years," that includes a new version of "Route 66." The new cut of "Route 66" includes guest vocalists Leroy Preston and Johnny Nicholas to accompany the band's longtime lead singer, Ray Benson. Preston was … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album
Red Fork Train Depot in Tulsa will hold its grand opening Oct. 24
The Red Fork Train Depot, a replica of the original depot in the Route 66 Historical Village complex in southwest Tulsa, will hold its grand opening celebration on Oct. 24. According to Tulsa People magazine, the sold-out grand opening will feature guest speakers that include Mayor G.T. Bynum. The depot will be open to the … Continue reading Red Fork Train Depot in Tulsa will hold its grand opening Oct. 24
Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
The Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is marking its 95th anniversary its month, surviving all sorts of upheaval and trends, including COVID-19. According to the KY3 station in Springfield, coming through the pandemic was no small feat: Throughout the years, the theatre has survived the depression, World War II, and most recently the pandemic. … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
Historic log home to be moved to Sappington House museum in Crestwood
A log home more than 200 years old in Affton, Missouri, soon will be disassembled, moved and reassembled at the Historic Thomas Sappington House Museum in nearby Crestwood, Missouri. The two-story Joseph Sappington house in Affton, Missouri. Moving the log house, once owned by Joseph Sappington, to the museum grounds at 1015 Sapplingtor Road was … Continue reading Historic log home to be moved to Sappington House museum in Crestwood
New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Edward Keating, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize in photography who spent years documenting Route 66, died Sunday. He was 65. His wife, Carrie, broke the news about Keating's passing Monday on Facebook. She did not disclose his cause of death. His brother-in-law said Keating's wife and two daughters were by his side when he … Continue reading Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Blue Whale of Catoosa is undergoing a weeklong effort of repairs and cleaning
The landmark Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, today is beginning a one-week effort by the city to clean, repaint and make repairs to the whale itself. The city's project begins today and will last through Friday, Oct. 1, according to a news release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. During that time period, the Blue … Continue reading Blue Whale of Catoosa is undergoing a weeklong effort of repairs and cleaning
Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Susan Croce Kelly, an author of two notable books about Route 66, will be inducted Sept. 30 into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame during a special online edition of the organization’s annual Quill Gala. The award will be presented during a virtual ceremony that will feature a live roundtable discussion with Kelly. Kelly is … Continue reading Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building
Volunteers, including members of the Route 66 Co-op, this week finished the final stage of preserving the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. This week primarily concentrated on small repairs, installing interpretative panels inside the trading post that explains its history, and re-creating the lettering on the outside to resemble what it looked … Continue reading Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building