Organizers of the relighting of The Tropics neon sign on June 24 in Lincoln, Illinois, are encouraging attendees to wear tropical-style clothing for the event. A news release from the Tropics Campaign Relighting Committee states activities will begin at 7:15 p.m. that day with a pre-event reception at the McDonald's parking lot at 1007 Hickox … Continue reading Tropical attire encouraged for The Tropics sign relighting
Category: Preservation
New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
The new co-owner of the Vega Motel in Vega, Texas -- who also owns a new AirBnB site along Route 66 in town -- aims to restore and eventually reopen the Route 66 motel that's been closed to overnight travelers for more than 10 years. Vega resident Karen Friemel Fangman, along with her brother Barry … Continue reading New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop
Blueprint Coffee this month is opening a second St. Louis site in a 1940s-era auto-repair shop not far from the Route 66 landmarks Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and Donut Drive-In. Blueprint Coffee opened in 2013 in the Delmar Loop area of west St. Louis. The second place, opening in June, sits at 4206 Watson Road … Continue reading Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop
Business plan approved for Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
The historic Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will screen both first- and second-run movies as well as stage live entertainment and events under a business plan approved by county commissioners last week. According to the print edition of The Communicator, based on Santa Rosa: Gillian Joyce of Rio Chiquito Research and Consulting of … Continue reading Business plan approved for Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
The ruins of two Route 66 landmarks -- the Painted Desert Trading Post in Arizona and John's Modern Cabins in Missouri -- received a bit of a new lease on life when volunteers helped stabilize the long-abandoned structures. Several members of the Route 66 Co-op, which purchased the Painted Desert Trading Post a few weeks … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
Grand Canyon Caverns transformed into multitiered business
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
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