A volunteer work crew from the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society helped the owner of the long-closed Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg, Missouri, clean his property before it undergoes an exterior restoration. The cafe -- named because of a low-clearance Frisco railroad bridge to the east -- closed about 50 years ago after a new alignment … Continue reading Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
Category: History
Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami
Officials in Miami, Oklahoma, want to use a Rails to Trails project to help rehabilitate the historic stretch of the 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway of Route 66 between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma. KSNF-TV reported the four-phase project will involve an eight-mile route across Ottawa County and the Neosho River, near Miami. The project will also incorporate … Continue reading Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami
2018 cost-share grants for Route 66 sites announced
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Wednesday announced it awarded seven cost-share grants totaling about $87,000 for preservation or historical research. Since 2001, the program has awarded 146 cost-share grants totaling $2.17 million. The program tentatively has planned to award more grants in 2019 before it expires that year. Here are the 2018 awardees, … Continue reading 2018 cost-share grants for Route 66 sites announced
Vinita wins $25,000 to help enhance its downtown
The city of Vinita, Oklahoma, received a $25,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant to help improve its downtown, including the Route 66 corridor. KSNF-TV reports about 1,600 towns applied for the grant, and only 129 won it. Here's what Vinita will do with the money: The Vinita Route 66 Breezeway Project will make the downtown area more … Continue reading Vinita wins $25,000 to help enhance its downtown
Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
The historic Dew Chilli Parlor site a short distance from Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, closed Friday because of traffic and parking issues. Two other Dew Chili sites -- including one on old Route 66 -- remain open in the city. The site at 1216 S. Fifth St. had operated there since 1954. Other Dew … Continue reading Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
Rare photos of Cyrus Avery unveiled
The Historical Society of Missouri’s Springfield Research Center recently acquired rare photos of Cyrus Avery, known as the Father of Route 66, as a boy and a young man. Avery, born in 1871, was known as a booster of Tulsa and Oklahoma in general. But the Pennsylvania native moved to Missouri at age 10 and … Continue reading Rare photos of Cyrus Avery unveiled
Director from Spain films new documentary about Route 66’s living icons
A director from Spain praised for her work in short films and digital media has shot a full-length documentary about the living icons of Route 66 and hopes to see the movie in theaters by 2019. Ana Ramon Rubio directed "Almost Ghosts," which is designed to "remember those who were forgotten when the U.S. Government finished … Continue reading Director from Spain films new documentary about Route 66’s living icons
Business offers walking mid-century modern tours along Route 66 in Albuquerque
A company called Modern Albuquerque has launched two guided walking tours mostly along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in the Duke City. The business' co-creator, Thea Haver, stated in an email: While the tours focus on the mid-century modern styled buildings on the tour route, the road on which most were built is Route 66. … Continue reading Business offers walking mid-century modern tours along Route 66 in Albuquerque
What is the capital of Route 66?
Tulsa World newspaper columnist John Klein a few days ago wrote an essay with this provocative title: "Tulsa is already the heart of Route 66. Soon it will also be the capital of the Mother Road." Klein lays out his case with quotes from Route 66 Alliance officers Michael Wallis and Ken Busby, who hope … Continue reading What is the capital of Route 66?
Vintage photo of John’s Modern Cabins surfaces
Route 66 postcard collector and author Joe Sonderman recently helped unearth a long-forgotten photograph of John's Modern Cabins near Newburg, Missouri, taken in August 1966. Sonderman posted the image -- along with another rare photograph of nearby Vernelle's Motel during the same period -- on Saturday on Facebook. To date, the 1966 photo of John's … Continue reading Vintage photo of John’s Modern Cabins surfaces