Replica of historic hotel lobby re-created in Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

As if you don't have enough good reasons to visit the marvelous Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Celina Hawkins of the Odessa American in Texas explains why there's another: On Thursday, relatives and many others gathered inside the Route 66 Museum as the newest exhibit – an exact replica of the lobby of the … Continue reading Replica of historic hotel lobby re-created in Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

New Mexico Route 66 Museum now has regular hours

The New Mexico Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari has been operating with regular hours for about two weeks. Hours on weekdays are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. And it plans to soon add Saturday hours as well. According to the museum's website: The New Mexico Route 66 Museum will offer a unique look into … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Museum now has regular hours

Pigeon Museum in Oklahoma City holding grand opening

A new museum aimed at Route 66 travelers and other tourists is holding a grand opening Saturday in Oklahoma City -- the American Pigeon Museum and Library. The Oklahoman newspaper produced this video about it: The newspaper said: The museum and library will contain numerous photographs, paintings, trophies, artifacts, collectables and much more memorabilia. [...] … Continue reading Pigeon Museum in Oklahoma City holding grand opening

Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday

It's hard to believe, but the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac already is marking its 10th anniversary Saturday. According to a news release from Pontiac Tourism: To commemorate this milestone, the museum will hold a special open house on that day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday

Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center

Even though it doesn't have all the money needed for the project, the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington, Illinois, is taking bids on building a tourism center that will highlight Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project would turn the south lawn of the museum square into a plaza pointing visitors to the … Continue reading Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center

A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station

KC Keefer continues his Genuine Route 66 Life video series with an interview with Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma. Afton Station, a former gas station on Route 66 in town, was converted into a display area for a Packards collection and as a visitors center for Route 66 travelers. https://youtu.be/B3NpM-BRY9k Kane … Continue reading A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station

The darker side of Route 66

The Autry Museum in Los Angeles recently uploaded a few more videos of interviews with longtime residents of Route 66. The museum is preparing for its "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit that starts June 8. But there's nothing particularly romantic about these clips. As a good museum should, these delve into the … Continue reading The darker side of Route 66

Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future

Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, faces a cloudy future since its longtime patriarch, Bill Shea, died in 2012 at age 91, according to a story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Another Route 66 landmark in Springfield, Joe Rogers' The Chili Den Parlor, also faces an uncertain future since a "closed for repairs" sign was posted … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future

Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center

Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center

Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations

The city of Springfield, Illinois, reported more than 700 building-code violations for the troubled Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66, reported the State Journal-Register. That's on top of the $114,000 in fines levied last year against the Florida-based landlord for nearly 400 code violations. Owner Gopal Motwani is challenging those fines in court. The violations range … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations