New Mexico Route 66 Association’s motor tour goes on hiatus this year due to Tucumcari project

The New Mexico Route 66 Association last week announced it would pause its annual motor tour this year because of the complexities of moving its office to Tucumcari. Sue Montgomery, vice president and membership officer with the association, stated in an email: So good news is that the NM Rt 66 Association in conjunction with … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association’s motor tour goes on hiatus this year due to Tucumcari project

Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign

Oklahoma Tourism earlier in the week announced the launch of its "Imagine That" campaign where Route 66 features prominently in the mix. According to a news release, it is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 the agency has released a campaign of this scale … Continue reading Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign

Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting an exhibition about the "Negro Motorist Green Book" published during America's Jim Crow era from the 1930s to the 1960s. The Green Book, published by Victor Hugo Green, was an annual guidebook for African American travelers looking for nondiscriminating gas stations, restaurants, lodging establishments and other accommodations during the … Continue reading Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced the latest round of the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to byway members. Byway Project Funds are meant to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

City of Albuquerque seeks millions in state funding for Route 66 improvements

The City of Albuquerque has requested millions of dollars in state funding for improvements to its Route 66 corridor, including its soon-to-open Route 66 Visitor Center. A report by KRQE-TV in Albuquerque and the city's own priorities list to the New Mexico Legislature provide the details on the requests:  -- $15 million to move Unser … Continue reading City of Albuquerque seeks millions in state funding for Route 66 improvements

Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, died Saturday less than a month after her appointment to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Her death was reported by the Springfield State Journal-Register after the Illinois Association of Museums announced it Sunday. She was 50. No cause of death was reported by either the … Continue reading Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

A 24-foot-tall handmade guitar sculpture proclaimed as the world's largest will be coming to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The work, called Gigantar, will begin a nearly one-week road trip to the museum with a launch party at the legendary Stone Pony nightclub in Asbury Park, New … Continue reading Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Arizona Route 66 Association announces four more grants

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently announced its latest round of grant awards, including to two historic motels. Roger Naylor provided some of the details in the association's quarterly newsletter in January: -- $11,500 to the Route 66 Motel in Kingman to restore its neon sign, including its wiring. The Valmonte family has … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association announces four more grants

Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque

The neon sign for the defunct Mountain Lodge motel just east of Albuquerque is being added to the new Route 66 Visitor Center on the city's west side. According to KRQE-TV, motel owner Owen St. Germain donated the sign to the visitor center. It is being refurbished by the Build it Right construction company of … Continue reading Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque