The Museum Club, a Route 66 landmark in Flagstaff, Arizona, since 1931, closed with little warning Monday night, and its future appears uncertain. The Facebook page for the Museum Club posted this message about midday Monday: NO MEMORABILIA IS BEING SOLD INDIVIDUALLY OR IS ANYTHING BEING ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MUSEUM CLUB!!! YES … Continue reading Museum Club in Flagstaff closes abruptly
Category: History
Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
Chick Kirk, 87, a longtime volunteer who greeted thousands of tourists at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville over the years, died Aug. 27. Kirk, whose real name was Charlotte, and fellow longtime volunteer Betty Halbe worked side by side at the museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. Together, Chick Kirk and Halbe were … Continue reading Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda
Ten years ago, the historic but long-neglected Duncan Manor along Route 66 near Towanda, Illinois, was placed on a list of Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Places. Nowadays, the Duncan Manor isn't out of the woods yet, but improvements have been made, and David and Randi Howell seem committed to restoring it since purchasing the … Continue reading An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda
Preservationists will approach county to preserve Sidewalk Highway
Route 66 fans, preservationists and area leaders met Wednesday at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, to discuss ways to preserve an ancient stretch of Route 66 between Miami and Afton called the Sidewalk Highway or Ribbon Road. The group emerged with a consensus to talk to the Ottawa County board of commissioners, which … Continue reading Preservationists will approach county to preserve Sidewalk Highway
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced its annual cost-share grant awards, with seven grants totaling $98,137. This year's grant awards are remarkable in their breadth, including neon-sign restorations, oral-history projects, a full assessment of Route 66's bridges, a historic-property database, an educational websites and a documentary film. Since 2001, the program has … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
A closer look at NAACP’s Missouri travel advisory
The NAACP last week issued a Missouri travel advisory, warning travelers and residents about possible discrimination and attacks against minorities in the state. The Missouri NAACP circulated a travel advisory in June, and the issue recently was taken up by the national organization -- the first time the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People … Continue reading A closer look at NAACP’s Missouri travel advisory
Grant to help “Trucking on Route 66” project
A $5,100 federal cost-share grant will help Missouri State University Libraries and Ozarks Alive set up a "Trucking on Route 66" oral-history project. The grant comes from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which should release its full list of 2017 grant recipients any day now. According to a news release from the university: Twenty … Continue reading Grant to help “Trucking on Route 66” project
Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”
National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday" program spent about four minutes on Route 66 and the uncertain fate of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which expires in 2019. The segment by NPR affiliate KNAU focuses on Holbrook, Arizona, which features Joe and Aggie's Cafe and the Wigwam Motel, both along the Mother Road. The … Continue reading Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”
More 1990s videos on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos from his 1990s trips on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The videos hold historical value because a number of the places where he visited have vanished or have drastically changed. Reichardt's YouTube channel is here, where more than 50 videos are posted. He posted a video a couple … Continue reading More 1990s videos on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
Old Smoky’s Restaurant building in Williams torn down
The Old Smoky's Restaurant building that stood for more than 70 years on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona, was torn down earlier this month. The restaurant itself, however, continues to operate down the street at 125 W. Route 66. The Williams News on Tuesday posted a photo of the building being torn down, although the … Continue reading Old Smoky’s Restaurant building in Williams torn down