The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
Category: Preservation
Gasconade River Bridge Guardians set plan for coming months
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians met Sunday in Leasburg, Missouri, to set a plan for the coming months, including fundraising to pay for an engineering assessment of the historic structure's condition and an estimate of repair costs to keep it safe for bicycle and light traffic. The Guardians gathered only a few days … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardians set plan for coming months
Wilder’s Steakhouse rooftop sign removed for restoration
The rooftop neon sign at Wilder's Steakhouse in Joplin, Missouri, was removed Friday for restoration. A relighting ceremony for the sign is scheduled for dusk April 14. According to a news release, the animated neon sign has not operated for least 25 years. The restaurant at 1216 Main St. landed a $24,000 cost-share grant from … Continue reading Wilder’s Steakhouse rooftop sign removed for restoration
Workin’ Bridges withdraws from Gasconade River Bridge preservation effort
The Workin' Bridges nonprofit organization this week withdrew from its efforts to raise money to preserve the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, after several Route 66 enthusiasts questioned the group's plans and its transparency. Julie Bowers, executive director of the Iowa-based Workin' Bridges, said in a phone interview Thursday she was "bullied" online … Continue reading Workin’ Bridges withdraws from Gasconade River Bridge preservation effort
Old Joliet prison to become haunted house this fall
The historic but long-abandoned Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, best known for the opening scene of "The Blues Brothers" movie, will become a haunted house in time for Halloween. The Joliet Patch reported this week Evil Intentions, which operates an acclaimed haunted house in nearby Elgin, Illinois, announced it will open a second site … Continue reading Old Joliet prison to become haunted house this fall
Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
A group of volunteers in Albuquerque has labored for years to restore a Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive that hasn't rolled down a set of tracks in 65 years. With more work and a bit of luck, the locomotive will chug into Las Vegas, New Mexico, about the time the long-closed Castaneda Hotel there reopens … Continue reading Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
Pecos National Historical Park visitors center to receive an upgrade
The visitors center at Pecos National Historical Park in Pecos, New Mexico, soon will undergo a three-year, $1 million improvement plan. Becky Latanich, the park’s chief of interpretation and education, told the Albuquerque Journal she wants to make the visitors center more appealing to children and families. One of the most important changes for Latanich … Continue reading Pecos National Historical Park visitors center to receive an upgrade
Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield
A female bald eagle that endured months of recovery after being injured in a fight in April with a male bald eagle at a Litchfield, Illinois, lake was released back into the wild Saturday. The release occurred with hundreds of spectators watching at Lake Lou Yaeger, just north of Litchfield. The lake lies about two … Continue reading Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield
Route 66: The Road Ahead board meeting, stakeholder reception set for next month
The Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership's board of directors will hold its annual meeting next month in Tulsa, along with a reception for stakeholders and a partnership update after the meeting. The meeting will be Feb. 16 and 17 at the Tulsa City County Library at 400 Civic Center (map here) in downtown Tulsa. The … Continue reading Route 66: The Road Ahead board meeting, stakeholder reception set for next month
Classen Circle site sold, avoids wrecking ball
Two area businessmen purchased the Classen Circle business complex in Oklahoma City a few months after the historic site was slated to be torn down for a Braum's ice cream and grocery store. The Oklahoman newspaper reported Classen Circle LLC, owned by Josh Thomas and Scott Mueller, closed Friday on the $1.3 million purchase of … Continue reading Classen Circle site sold, avoids wrecking ball