The number of tourists to the Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., increased for the fourth straight year in 2013, according to numbers released this week by Pontiac Tourism. Tourism director Ellie Alexander said overall tourism numbers rose by 5 percent during the year, to a record 24,173. Pontiac saw robust increases in international visitors … Continue reading Number of visitors to Pontiac increases again in 2013
Category: Museums
Oklahoma senator again criticizes Route 66 preservation program
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) again targets the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program with his "Wastebook," an annual publication released Tuesday that cites alleged government waste. In the publication, Coburn criticized the $81,224 the program awarded in cost-share grants to restore the roof of the historic DeCamp Junction near Staunton, Ill., the climate-control system of … Continue reading Oklahoma senator again criticizes Route 66 preservation program
Bill Shea, owner of Shea’s 66 Gas Station Museum, dies at 91
Bill Shea, a longtime owner of a gas station in Springfield, Ill., and then curator of a gas-station museum on Route 66, died in his sleep today at age 91, according to a post on the Shea's Route 66 Museum Facebook page. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Shea started in the gas-station business shortly … Continue reading Bill Shea, owner of Shea’s 66 Gas Station Museum, dies at 91
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum exhibit focuses on music of the road
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton has started a new exhibit that focuses on the music and music artists who helped make Route 66 famous, according to a news release from the museum. "Music for the Mother Road: Route 66" features displays and interactive pieces about the history of radio and the popular songs … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum exhibit focuses on music of the road
Walldog Museum offering customized holiday cards
The International Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, Ill., is offering customized holiday greeting cards of the town's famous Route 66 mural at a discounted price during the month of November, according to a news release from Pontiac Tourism. According to the news release: The picture can include you and your family in front … Continue reading Walldog Museum offering customized holiday cards
A visit to Red River Steakhouse
KC Keefer Photography continues its "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a visit to the Red River Steakhouse in McLean, Texas. In the clip is an interview with proprietor Will Frost, who may be younger than you'd expect. https://youtu.be/wLmyqFuLWvU We've found the Red River Steakhouse to be an ideal stopping place if our schedule … Continue reading A visit to Red River Steakhouse
Vic Suhling / Gas For Less sign glows again after 40-plus years
The restoration of the historic Vic Suhling / Gas For Less neon sign was unveiled Saturday evening next to the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill. According to a news release, up to 200 people attended the event, including two of Suhling's daughters Bonnie and Bernice, one who traveled from Portland, … Continue reading Vic Suhling / Gas For Less sign glows again after 40-plus years
Tulsa announces plans to build Route 66 museum
The City of Tulsa is requesting proposals from developers to build a long-awaited Route 66 museum and visitors center on the banks of the Arkansas River, reported the Tulsa World today. The interpretive center and entertainment complex is to be built on city land across the street from the East Meets West bronze sculpture at … Continue reading Tulsa announces plans to build Route 66 museum
Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. As a result, parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and services along Route 66 that are maintained by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service reopened Thursday morning. The Grand … Continue reading Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
“Cultural Crossroads” in Tulsa will be dedicated Oct. 24
The City of Tulsa will dedicate the "Cultural Crossroads" of 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Yale Avenue at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. The project is part of the ongoing Vision 2025 sale-tax project of improvements on Route 66 in Tulsa County. The ceremony will be at the northwest part of the intersection, with … Continue reading “Cultural Crossroads” in Tulsa will be dedicated Oct. 24