The old Route 66 town of Gillespie, Illinois, received a $33,800 state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum. The museum was one of 43 that received $22.3 million in grants from the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program. State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, made the announcement, according to The Telegraph in Alton: “The Gillespie … Continue reading Gillespie receives state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum
Category: History
Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
The Joliet City Council on Monday marked the official reopening of North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along with officials from the Joliet City Center Partnership, Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Will County. According to The Times Weekly: “This is an exciting day for all of Joliet as we reopen an iconic street in … Continue reading Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Oklahoma County and several residents of a stretch of original Route 66 on Monday installed a sign that commemorated a brief stop by a former Beatle, Paul McCartney, there in 2008. Shellee Graham, who lives on that segment of historic road with Route 66 historian Jim Ross, was there to help document the installation with … Continue reading New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma
More doubt cast on Apache Death Cave story at Two Guns
A researcher who previously has debunked a long-told tale at a Route 66 site has cast additional doubt on the Apache Death Cave massacre that supposedly occurred in 1878 at Two Guns, Arizona. And it turns out the man who likely made up the story killed a man decades before. If you're unfamiliar with Apache … Continue reading More doubt cast on Apache Death Cave story at Two Guns
Lowell Davis, creator of Red Oak II near Carthage, dies at 83
Lowell Davis, an illustrator who created the rustic Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri, as an homage to his hometown, died Monday. He was 83. According post Monday night on the Red Oak II page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3654927054531816&id=130367633654460 Ozarks Alive described his early career after his stint in the Air Force: Lowell Davis rose … Continue reading Lowell Davis, creator of Red Oak II near Carthage, dies at 83
Zettlers Route 66 shop in Ash Fork reopens
The historic Zettlers Route 66 shop in Ash Fork, Arizona, reopened last month after it landed new owners earlier this summer. According to the Williams-Grand Canyon News, Zettlers aims to cater to both tourists and locals by offering Route 66 memorabilia and souvenirs, hardware, appliances and camping gear. The newspaper reported: New owners Terry and … Continue reading Zettlers Route 66 shop in Ash Fork reopens
Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center wins $30,000 grant to expand veterans exhibit
The Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Illinois, recently won a $30,000 grant to help expand its Veterans' Room there. Anne Jackson, secretary of the welcome center, detailed the windfall in a letter to the Journal-News: The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce had been housed in the museum since our opening. They decided to … Continue reading Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center wins $30,000 grant to expand veterans exhibit
Ten coffins found in mass grave that may be victims of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
There may have been a breakthrough in the search for bodies from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. A research team on Wednesday found 10 deteriorated coffins in an area of Oaklawn Cemetery where 18 black men reportedly were buried after the worst race riot in U.S. history, according to the Tulsa World and other media … Continue reading Ten coffins found in mass grave that may be victims of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Historical society selling 2021 calendar of old Route 66 images east of Albuquerque
The East Mountain Historical Society is selling the eighth edition of its annual calendars, and this one features images from old Route 66 in the region. A news release from the society states: Now available through the society’s online store, each of the 12 months of Old Route 66 features a historic photo related to the legendary highway … Continue reading Historical society selling 2021 calendar of old Route 66 images east of Albuquerque
Troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa is torn down
The troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa was torn down Monday after four fires decimated what was left of the Route 66 property. A body was found in one of the fires in May, prompting local officials to abandon plans to save the motel. Route 66 advocates in the city were saddened by the teardown but … Continue reading Troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa is torn down