Nearly 100 people witnessed the relighting Saturday of the Cotton Boll Motel sign along Route 66 in Canute, Oklahoma. The motel no longer operates and is now a private residence. Its sign, however, glowed for the first time in decades. Here are images from those who attended the ceremony: About a year ago, the City … Continue reading About 100 people attend relighting of Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute
Category: Preservation
Route 66 gateways at Nob Hill in Albuquerque scheduled for repairs in May
The famous Route 66 gateways in the Nob Hill neighborhood in Albuquerque, after being at least partly inoperable for two years, are set to undergo repairs in May. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported that residents complained for months about the archways being dark, especially during Route 66's centennial year. The City of Albuquerque said the repairs … Continue reading Route 66 gateways at Nob Hill in Albuquerque scheduled for repairs in May
Route 66 section of Petrified Forest National Park designated to National Register of Historic Places
The long-abandoned Route 66 portion of the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Petrified Forest National Park Route 66 Archaeological District was officially listed on Feb. 27, according to an email from the National Park Service. Bill Collins, National Register of Historic Places program … Continue reading Route 66 section of Petrified Forest National Park designated to National Register of Historic Places
New restaurant coming near World War II plane in El Reno will play tribute to local war hero
A closed VFW Post 382 near a World War II plane in El Reno, Oklahoma, is being renovated into Sonny's Kitchen and Bar and will pay tribute to local war hero Col. Charles Clark "Sonny" Kegelman. Kegelman was born in El Reno and graduated from the local high school in 1932. He enlisted in the … Continue reading New restaurant coming near World War II plane in El Reno will play tribute to local war hero
City of Tulsa rewriting rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program
The City of Tulsa is amending rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program after several were fabricated and installed without neon tubing. According to News on 6 in Tulsa, those without neon were The Capital of Route 66, Big Dipper Creamery and Anybody’s Guest signs. The signs were made with a newer manufacturing … Continue reading City of Tulsa rewriting rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program
Renovated Dobson Museum in Miami will reopen on April 9
After several years of renovations, the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma, will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 9, the facility's 54th anniversary. On April 11, officials will host a reopening party, “Decades of Dobson,” featuring activities, food trucks, and booths from organizations and museums in the region, according to the Joplin Globe. More … Continue reading Renovated Dobson Museum in Miami will reopen on April 9
Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute will have a relighting event on March 21
The long-dark neon sign for the closed Cotton Boll Motel in Canute, Oklahoma, will glow again during an event on March 21. Dusk on that day will be approximately 8:15 p.m., though it could come earlier if cloudy skies occur. Several people on social media reported the relighting date, and one even snapped a recent … Continue reading Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute will have a relighting event on March 21
Restoration begins on Bob Waldmire’s U-Haul truck
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced last week that a painted U-Haul truck once owned by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire is undergoing restoration. A teacher with the Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City approached the association during its January meeting and proposed restoring it as a student project. LD’s Wrecker in … Continue reading Restoration begins on Bob Waldmire’s U-Haul truck
New visitors center at Blue Whale of Catoosa to hold grand opening on May 30
The local chamber of commerce announced that a grand opening will be held at the new visitors center at the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, on May 30. The event will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day, with events throughout. It includes a Route 66 Blue Whale 5K Run to start the … Continue reading New visitors center at Blue Whale of Catoosa to hold grand opening on May 30
Route 66 businesses in Springfield, Missouri, offered grants to improve storefronts
An organization in Springfield, Missouri, announced a new facade grant program to support Route 66 businesses before the highway's centennial celebrations this year. The West Central Neighborhood Alliance in Springfield announced the Mother Road Business Curb Appeal Program, reported the Springfield News-Leader. Approved businesses can receive up to $500 in matching reimbursement funds for exterior … Continue reading Route 66 businesses in Springfield, Missouri, offered grants to improve storefronts