Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon is torn down

The closed Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, just down the road from the Route 66 landmark Munger Moss Motel, was demolished in recent weeks. The razing of the 80-year-old motel on the city's east side was reported by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. The motel originally was built in 1941 as the Green … Continue reading Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon is torn down

St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler put up for sale by its longtime owner

The 120-year-old St. Cloud Hotel building along Route 66 in Chandler, Oklahoma, has been placed on the market by its longtime owner. John Givens, who has owned the property since the 1980s, said in a telephone interview he put it up for sale a few weeks ago because he needs to devote more time to … Continue reading St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler put up for sale by its longtime owner

Ground broken for huge Three Ponies RV Park and Campground near Vinita

Local and state officials broke ground this week on the enormous Three Ponies RV Park and Campground just off Route 66 near Vinita, Oklahoma. Three Ponies will be a luxury outdoor resort containing 300 cabins and 750 RV sites. At 320 acres, the development will be the largest campground in the region, according to a … Continue reading Ground broken for huge Three Ponies RV Park and Campground near Vinita

Organization seeks to reopen Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa as sober-living facility by Christmas

The Wings of Freedom organization, which acquired the Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa in 2020, hopes it will be partially open as a sober-living facility by Christmas. Pastor Dixie Pebworth, director of Wings of Freedom, told KJRH-TV in Tulsa he hopes to have 29 rooms on the west side of the Route 66 motel transformed … Continue reading Organization seeks to reopen Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa as sober-living facility by Christmas

Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center

The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, recently opened to the public its Boots Court Motel Visitors Center, housed in a former Sinclair gas station adjacent to the Route 66 property. The motel opened the facility during Maple Leaf Festival weekend, which is Carthage's biggest event. More about it: A grand opening for the … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center

Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced six grants this year totaling about $165,000 to varying historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretative and educational projects. I noticed the grant awards this year were capped at $30,000. Still, 30 grand is 30 grand. Here are the grant awards: Round Barn siding repair in Arcadia, OklahomaApplicant: Arcadia Historical … Continue reading Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Amazing Grace Ministries seeks photos, stories about El Sueno Motor Court in Claremore

Amazing Grace Ministries is seeking photographs and stories about El Sueno Motor Court along old Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, so it can make appropriate repairs to at least one of the buildings. Laurie Paquette Ault, a member of the First Methodist Church in the city, said in a phone interview the owner has allowed … Continue reading Amazing Grace Ministries seeks photos, stories about El Sueno Motor Court in Claremore

Preorders now being taken for “Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops”

Mark Hamilton announced last week he now is taking preorders for the "Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops," which serves as a successor of the National Historic Route 66 Federation's defunct "Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide." The link to preorder the book through PayPal is here. The cost will be $22.95, … Continue reading Preorders now being taken for “Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops”

Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield

A new hotel called The Moxy will open in February in downtown Springfield, Missouri, in the Medical Arts Building that was built in 1930. According to the Springfield Daily Citizen, the hotel at 430 South Ave. is a partnership between O’Reilly Hospitality Management and Marriott International, Inc. The eight-story boutique hotel will offer 98 rooms, … Continue reading Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield

Big Texan RV Ranch adds Airstream trailers for overnight rentals

The Big Texan RV Ranch, a short distance down the road from the landmark Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, recently added vintage Airstream trailers that are available for overnight guests. Here's the announcement from the RV park: That's in addition to the wooden cabins and Conestoga wagons the RV park opened for overnight travelers … Continue reading Big Texan RV Ranch adds Airstream trailers for overnight rentals