Anne Haaker, recently retired as a deputy state historic preservation officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, recently was appointed as historic resources specialist for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. According to a new release this week from the partnership: As deputy deputy state historic preservation officer, Haaker was involved in the preservation of buildings, … Continue reading Historic resources specialist appointed to Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
Category: Preservation
Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned
The nearly 70-year-old Sonrise Donuts neon sign along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned by tonight after the building's non-doughnuts tenant said he no longer wanted it there. The online auctions -- separately for both halves of the rooftop sign -- will end today at 7 p.m. Central. If you're interested, you can … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned
Bill Deck of Deck’s Drug Store in Girard dies
Wyman P. "Bill" Deck, co-owner of the historic Deck's Drug Store in downtown Girard, Illinois, died Monday at age 91 at a hospital in nearby Springfield. A Girard native, Deck was a pharmacy technician at the store and formerly was a librarian at Auburn Public Schools in nearby Auburn, Illinois, according to an obituary in … Continue reading Bill Deck of Deck’s Drug Store in Girard dies
Denny’s windmill in Arcadia is spinning again
The blades of a windmill atop a Denny's restaurant along Route 66 in Arcadia, California, were spinning again this weekend. The blades inexplicably fell off the structure late last year and damaged the restaurant's roof. Reporter Christopher Yee of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune posted video of the windmill operating Friday evening: The last-of-its-kind windmill … Continue reading Denny’s windmill in Arcadia is spinning again
Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles closes its cafeteria
Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles quietly closed its cafeteria this summer and now the historic site primarily will run only as a nightclub for now. In the interim, Clifton's dropped the "Cafeteria" from its name and now is called Clifton's Republic. No one seems 100 percent sure when Clifton's stopped serving food, but Los … Continue reading Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles closes its cafeteria
Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
The tourism bureau of Springfield, Illinois, recently opened a welcome center in a downtown building that once contained Abraham Lincoln's law office. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices historic site inside the 1840 three-story Tinsley dry-goods building was closed a few years ago for a $1 million renovation, but a state budget impasse kept the structure from … Continue reading Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
Pacific moves forward with Red Cedar Inn project
The city of Pacific, Missouri, gave the official green light to its plan to convert the Red Cedar Inn restaurant building and lounge into a history and visitors center. The Washington Missourian reported: Aldermen approved a contract Nov 6 with architects Patterhn-Ives, St. Louis, to design a multiuse interior for the structure, and determine improvements … Continue reading Pacific moves forward with Red Cedar Inn project
Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site
A small metal turkey sign that helps mark 1920s turkey tracks on old Route 66 near Nilwood, Illinois, was stolen earlier this month. Crime Stoppers of Macoupin County posted on Facebook: Sometime on or before November 11th, 2018, person or persons unknown stole a commemorative sign marking the spot of the “Turkey Tracks” on Old … Continue reading Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site
Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
The city of Carthage, Missouri, is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for failing to keep up crossings and bridges in the city, including the fabled Whee Bridge along Route 66. According to the Joplin Globe: The suit, filed in federal court, cites 17 crossings, including the Oak Street bridge along Route 66. The city is … Continue reading Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station
A few months ago, a prominent Route 66 advocate whispered she'd been inside the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma, and she was blown away by the artifacts inside. Last week, KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City brought a reporter inside the station. Take a look for yourself: More from the story: “I don't … Continue reading A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station