The City of Claremore, Okla., and the Rogers County Historical Society are in a spat over the use of a recently vacated building, reported the Claremore Daily Progress. The city wants the former Fire Administration Building at 121 N. Weenonah Ave. to be used as the new space for Department of Public Safety driver's licensing … Continue reading City, historical society fight over building
Category: Museums
Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
The City of Springfield, Ill., is applying for a grant to repair the long-declining Bel-Aire Motel and eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The grant sought for the Bel-Aire is $1 million from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The city plans to cover the other $600,000 for the … Continue reading Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
Notes from the road
The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road
Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum
Two vehicles owned by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, including his beloved 1972 Volkswagen minibus, will go on display at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, reported the Illinois Route 66 Association website today. The other vehicle is a school bus Waldmire converted into a small home at … Continue reading Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum
Santa Rosa scoops
I always enjoy the print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based out of Santa Rosa, N.M., when it arrives in my mailbox each week. It's a lively newspaper owned by a former Rocky Mountain News reporter, and the fact it's on Route 66 is bonus. This week, the Communicator contained these items of interest … Continue reading Santa Rosa scoops
Notes from the road
The Fanning 66 Outpost in the Route 66 hamlet of Fanning, Mo., is hosting its annual Picture in the Rocker Day on Aug. 7, where you can enjoy the rare opportunity of sitting (or standing) on the World's Largest Rocking Chair. The Viva Cuba blog had some of the details: The Outpost charges $5.00 per … Continue reading Notes from the road
Several Route 66 sites make Arizona magazine’s “best of” list
Several Route 66 establishments made the final cut in Arizona Highways magazine's annual "Best of Arizona" feature, which is in the August issue that's out now. Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner in Kingman was mentioned in the Kingman Daily Miner for having the "Best Beer without a Buzz," a reference to the restaurant's acclaimed root beer. … Continue reading Several Route 66 sites make Arizona magazine’s “best of” list
RFD-TV buys Roy Rogers’ horse, dog at auction
Cable television channel RFD-TV gave thought about purchasing all of the memorabilia from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum when its contents were put on the auction block a few days ago. Instead, it bought the next-best thing. RFD-TV president Patrick Gottsch purchased the movie cowboy's beloved horse, Trigger, for $266,500. After Trigger died … Continue reading RFD-TV buys Roy Rogers’ horse, dog at auction
Is the depot suitable for Joplin museum?
A story in the Joplin Globe this week shed light on why officials with the Joplin Museum Complex are hesitating to endorse an idea to renovate the city's historic railroad depot and move the museum there. [T]he existing interior space is less than the current museum’s, he said, based on his staff’s measurements of the … Continue reading Is the depot suitable for Joplin museum?
Joplin museum may be moved into depot
The Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Mo., may be moved into the historic Union Depot under a downtown development plan outlined by the city manager, according to the Joplin Globe. According to the newspaper, museum officials are set to discuss the proposal involving the nearly 100-year-old structure on Tuesday. They said they would remain publicly … Continue reading Joplin museum may be moved into depot