The New Mexico Department of Transportation received the 2025 Perpetual Pavement Award from the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, recognizing exceptional long-term performance and preservation of a historic section of New Mexico Route 6, part of the original Route 66 alignment. The recognized segment is a nine-mile portion of Route 6 west of Los Lunas, originally opened … Continue reading NMDOT receives national award for preservation of original Route 66 near Los Lunas
Category: Preservation
Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration
The 110-foot-tall Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, was taken apart Monday so it can be restored and then reassembled on Route 66 in the city. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, snapped a few photos of the job: Encino Signs in nearby Tulsa has been contracted to restore the sign. … Continue reading Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration
The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference
Heritage Corridor Destinations announced earlier this month that it was honored with the Bureau Innovation Award from the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau for The Landing Pad, just a few steps from the iconic Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The honor was given earlier this month at the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau Fall Conference in … Continue reading The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference
Old firehouse in Clinton may be turned into a visitors center
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, is applying for a state Route 66 centennial grant that could be used to convert its historic former fire station into a visitors center. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported Thursday that the grant is due to be submitted on Sept. 30. Awards from the centennial grant program will … Continue reading Old firehouse in Clinton may be turned into a visitors center
Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Five U.S. senators on Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the senators are Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. -- all from states where historic Route 66 traverses. Similar legislation is being brought … Continue reading Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
While the Route 66-themed View Stop Park is being built on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, workers are seeking to find the original Route 66 roadway that went through there. The park will include a Route 66 centennial marker, a bridge overlook plaza, parking, wildflower gardens, a boulder playground, a “Get Your Kicks” photo-op … Continue reading Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
In the wake of actor and director Robert Redford's death this week at age 89, a story emerged about how he helped save the decaying Santa Monica Pier from being torn down in the early 1970s. It's hard to believe now, but the pier was so dilapidated, the Santa Monica City Council voted to demolish … Continue reading Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
City of Albuquerque searches for new managers of historic KiMo Theatre
The City of Albuquerque is searching for new operators of a Route 66 landmark, the historic KiMo Theatre in the downtown area. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports that the city has issued a request for proposals to find new managers. The city’s Arts and Culture Department had run the venue for decades. City Councilor Joaquin Baca … Continue reading City of Albuquerque searches for new managers of historic KiMo Theatre
City of Lebanon officially accepts donation of Munger Moss Motel sign
The city council of Lebanon, Missouri, this week officially accepted the donation of the historic neon sign of the Munger Moss Motel and has pledged to restore it early next year. The sign will remain on the premises of the Route 66 motel, reported the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society in a Facebook post. The … Continue reading City of Lebanon officially accepts donation of Munger Moss Motel sign
Grant may help restore three classic neon signs in Williams
A grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona to the Williams Association for the Arts may help restore three neon signs along the Route 66 corridor of Williams, Arizona. The neon signs that will be assessed are the Turquoise Teepee, Canyon Club, and the World Famous Sultana Bar. The association's newsletter reported: Margaret … Continue reading Grant may help restore three classic neon signs in Williams