Route 66 — a jobs creator

During a formal introduction Wednesday of the logo for the new Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois -- which we already reported months ago -- local officials revealed some eyebrow-raising statistics about the economic value of the Mother Road. Bloomington, which long seemed indifferent to Route 66 for years, suddenly has embraced it. And … Continue reading Route 66 — a jobs creator

Future of Shea’s Route 66 Museum likely won’t be known until next year

What's in store for the closed Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, likely won't be known until sometime early next year, reported the State Journal-Register newspaper. The museum, long operated by former gas-station operator and gas memorabilia collector Bill Shea, closed except for appointments in late 2012 after Shea became too frail and was … Continue reading Future of Shea’s Route 66 Museum likely won’t be known until next year

Fox Theatre light returns to downtown Springfield

A replica of the Fox Theatre's neon sign in downtown Springfield, Missouri, was installed and lighted Thursday night, reported KLOR-TV. The relighting was part of History Museum on the Square's fall fundraiser. The Fox Theatre is located at 157 Park Central Square. More from the report: The Fox Theatre's iconic sign was lit at 9 … Continue reading Fox Theatre light returns to downtown Springfield

Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum

View Larger Map A small lot on the corner of Wabash Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Chicago that's planned as a Chicago Symphony Orchestra Park may include a small Route 66 museum to recognize its location on Route 66, according to a story in DNAinfo. The so-called pocket park would sit just west of the … Continue reading Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum

Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced

Author Marian Clark of Tulsa and the late J.M. Davis of Claremore will be inducted Oct. 18 into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, according to a release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The ceremony is slated for 2 p.m. and will be free to the … Continue reading Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced

Electric vehicle museum opens in Kingman

The exhibit of electric vehicles at the Powerhouse Visitors Center on Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, during the International Route 66 Festival last month has become a permanent museum to EVs, with more vehicles coming soon. According to a story on EV News Report, the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation's exhibit was visited by people from … Continue reading Electric vehicle museum opens in Kingman

Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday

The annual Mill Car Cruise-In classic-car show will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the landmark but long-closed Route 66 restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois. The event also serves as a fundraiser in ongoing efforts to preserve The Mill. Geoff Ladd, former leader of Logan County Tourism, a Route 66 Heritage Foundation of … Continue reading Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday

Longtime Route 66 museum curator Wanda Queenan dies

Wanda Queenan, 91, longtime currator of the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma, and co-owner of the now-closed Queenan's Indian Trading Post on Route 66 on the edge of town, has died, according to her daughter. Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton, Oklahoma, is in charge of arrangements. I'll post more information about the funeral … Continue reading Longtime Route 66 museum curator Wanda Queenan dies

Voice of America’s report on the Autry Museum’s Route 66 exhibit

The Voice of America posted this well-done report about the "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. https://youtu.be/ZMjMZ3n_ZFg The exhibit at the museum runs through Jan. 4. (Image courtesy of the Autry National Center)

Tulsa reviewing proposal for Route 66 museum

The city of Tulsa is reviewing the lone proposal for a long-planned Route 66 museum and commercial complex at Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) and Riverside Drive, reported the Tulsa World. Mayor Dewey Bartlett, during a splashy news conference at another Route 66 site in the city, announced in October the city would request proposals … Continue reading Tulsa reviewing proposal for Route 66 museum