Grand Canyon Caverns has become an example of a classic Route 66 business that not only has survived, but thrived amid an expansion of its offerings in the last 15-plus years. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the complex west of Seligman, Arizona, introduced scenic helicopter flights, now offers river-rafting tours and finished a modernization of bathrooms … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns transformed into multitiered business
Category: Preservation
Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival
The Circle Cinema in Tulsa will mark the 90th anniversary of its opening with a film festival that includes appearances by longtime film stars Mary Kay Place and Jeanne Tripplehorn, both who are Tulsa natives. The Tulsa World reported the July 8-15 event also will include an appearance by Tulsa resident Peggy Helmerich, known as … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival
Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition
The historic but long-closed Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces a possible wrecking ball amid the city's continuing efforts to revitalize Route 66 in the region. The Tulsa World reported: With a bright neon sign and charming, cottage-style office, the Brookshire epitomizes the affordable, roadside motels that catered to Route 66 traffic during the Mother Road’s … Continue reading Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition
Groups to consider plan for Red Cedar Inn building
Three service groups are meeting to form a plan for the now-vacant Red Cedar Inn building along Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri. The Washington Missourian reported that representatives from the City Tourism Commission, Meramec Valley History Museum and Genealogy Society will meet to discuss uses for the building. Former mayor Jeff Titter, Tourism Commission President Dennis Oliver … Continue reading Groups to consider plan for Red Cedar Inn building
Route 66 signs among Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered list
Route 66 signs throughout Oklahoma were among the places included in the annual Most Endangered Historic Places list by Preservation Oklahoma. The list was announced Monday in Oklahoma City. The organization said about the list: Since 1993, Preservation Oklahoma has recognized historic sites across the state at risk of demolition or deterioration, raising awareness of … Continue reading Route 66 signs among Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered list
Afton residents want to save endangered Horse Creek Bridge
Residents of Afton, Oklahoma, have embarked on a longshot bid to prevent to destruction of the historic Horse Creek Bridge. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans to replace the 1936 bridge on Route 66 because the agency says it's structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. ODOT may take bids for the bridge's demolition and replacement as … Continue reading Afton residents want to save endangered Horse Creek Bridge
New owners pledge to restore Hill Top Motel in Kingman
A husband-and-wife team recently purchased the closed Hill Top Motel in Kingman, Arizona, and plan to spend a half-million dollars renovating the historic Route 66 property. Francisco Sinopoli and Makenzie Baker, who are chiropractors, are the motel's new owners after Mohave State Bank foreclosed on it in December, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. They bought the … Continue reading New owners pledge to restore Hill Top Motel in Kingman
Recollections of the early days of The Mill in Lincoln
Geoff Ladd in 2007 conducted this interview of Robert and Norma McAfee. Robert and his sister, Pauline, were greeters when The Mill (known then as The Blue Mill) opened July 25, 1929, along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The audio is hissy, so you probably will have to turn up the volume on your smartphone or … Continue reading Recollections of the early days of The Mill in Lincoln
Nite Spot Cafe in Fairmont City makes Illinois endangered places list
The Nite Spot Cafe along an old section of Route 66 in Fairmont City, Illinois, made the Landmarks Illinois' annual Most Endangered Historic Places list. Landmarks Illinois explained the reason for the list: The purpose of the list is to focus attention on sites threatened by deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, or inappropriate development … Continue reading Nite Spot Cafe in Fairmont City makes Illinois endangered places list
Donations sought for possible cost-share preservation grants
Roamin' Rich Dinkela this week launched a campaign to raise matching donation dollars for possible cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to help rehabilitate or stabilize the Painted Desert Trading Post in Arizona and the Gasconade River Bridge in Missouri, plus also offering money or elbow grease to preserve what's left of … Continue reading Donations sought for possible cost-share preservation grants