A veteran recently purchased the 1939 Texaco gas station in downtown Galena, Kansas, and plans to restore it in the coming years. Aaron Perry, a veteran from Wakarusa, Kansas, closed on the deal in the fall for the property at Sixth and Main streets (aka Route 66) in Galena. Wakarusa is about three hours' drive … Continue reading Man vows to restore 1939 Texaco station in Galena
Category: Preservation
Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments
The historic Rockwood Court and Cafe complex along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, recently reopened its restaurant, and the rest of the motel complex eventually will become apartments and units for overnight guests. Joe Roberds of SGF Neighborhood News recently posted the scoop. Roberds noted activity around the property and reported: The sign outside the … Continue reading Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments
Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Joshua Tree National Park in California, a common side trip for Route 66 travelers, will shut down today because of damage to the park and will remain closed until the government shutdown ends. The Los Angeles Times reported: Without rangers on hand, visitors created new roads by driving off pavement and defaced the park’s namesake … Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21
Workers plan to finish a multiyear restoration of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by spring and fully reopen it by June 21, according to a video posted Tuesday on the hotel's blog. The hotel hopes to have the south wing ready for overnight occupancy by March and will take reservations for … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21
Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians have gathered enough donations to help pay for an engineer's study for the bridge. Now, the nonprofit group is using the money to put together "pitch packets" for prospective new owners of the closed and endangered span near Hazelgreen, Missouri. In an article this week in the Rolla … Continue reading Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends
The 115th Congress failed to pass two Route 66-related bills into law before the legislative body's session ended Jan. 3, leaving Route 66 boosters the prospect of starting the process all over again with the new Congress. The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act and the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act easily passed through the … Continue reading Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends
High winds break off one of the blades of The Mill in Lincoln
High winds last week snapped off one of the blades of the The Mill museum along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, and organizers are raising money to restore it. Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County said he was alerted about the damage Thursday. According to the Lincoln Courier: “I received … Continue reading High winds break off one of the blades of The Mill in Lincoln
Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
The city of Springfield, Illinois, announced in the wake of its recent purchase of the Sonrise Donuts neon signs it is developing a larger tourism plan to draw more Route 66 travelers in the coming years. With an eye on Route 66's centennial in 2026, Springfield wants to develop a "hub" of Route 66 attractions into … Continue reading Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign
The city of Springfield, Illinois, revealed itself Friday as the new owner of the historic Sonrise Donuts neon signs along Route 66 in Springfield that recently went up for auction. The even-better news is Ace Sign Co. of Springfield will restore one side of the sign at no cost, and a restoration fund was set … Continue reading City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign
Wildlife officials dismiss review of Mojave Desert water project
California wildlife officials said an environmental review by Cadiz Inc. is severely flawed and a permit to extract billions of gallons of water from under the Mojave Desert cannot be approved. The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported: The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife says scientists for Cadiz and the Orange County-based Rancho Santa Margarita … Continue reading Wildlife officials dismiss review of Mojave Desert water project