Two historic properties for sale in Galena, Tucumcari

In the past week or so, we've stumbled onto historic properties along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, and Tucumcari, New Mexico, that might interest a prospective entrepreneur for not a lot of money. The Tucumcari property once was the Jerry's Liquors store. It also once was a tattoo shop and a grocery store. Records indicate the … Continue reading Two historic properties for sale in Galena, Tucumcari

Red Cedar Inn in Pacific will become history museum, visitors center

The historic but long-closed Red Cedar Inn near Pacific, Missouri, will be bought by the city and converted into a history museum and visitors center, according to a scoop by the Washington Missourian.  The newspaper reported that city officials wouldn't talk about the impending deal officially, but several sources confirmed it to the Missourian. A … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn in Pacific will become history museum, visitors center

Ryburn Place in Normal opens to the public

Ryburn Place, aka Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, held its grand opening Saturday after a multi-year restoration of the historic Route 66 site. Ryburn Place is named after Route 66 enthusiast Terri Ryburn, who owned the site for years and shepherded its renovations. Here is video of the site's sign reveal: And here … Continue reading Ryburn Place in Normal opens to the public

Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

The city of Tulsa is working to set up a Route 66 neon-sign overlay district that would encourage the use and preservation of such signs. The Frontier news site, based in Tulsa, had the details: The city’s idea, patterned after a similar one in Albuquerque, N.M., is simple: make it easier to put up a neon sign … Continue reading Tulsa may encourage neon signs along Route 66

Sprague Super Service station reopens Saturday as Ryburn Place

The long-in-coming restoration of the historic Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, will culminate with a grand opening Saturday, where it will be rechristened as Ryburn Place. The station will be renamed after Route 66 enthusiast Terri Ryburn, who purchased the property more than a decade ago and slowly and steadily began to restore … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station reopens Saturday as Ryburn Place

Meltdown Diner opens on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa

The owners of the Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese food truck in Tulsa recently opened a permanent location on a historic corner of Route 66 in southwest part of the city, called the Meltdown Diner. Jim and Sara Hardcastle sold the food truck a few months ago and began renovating a 1949 building at Southwest Boulevard … Continue reading Meltdown Diner opens on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa

Hearing delayed to rezone Classen Circle in Oklahoma City

A controversial rezoning request that would have led to the demolition of historic Classen Circle and its businesses in Oklahoma City has been delayed at least a month. The Braum's restaurant chain, which requested the rezoning so it could put one of its stores there, agreed to move a planning commission hearing from Aug. 24 … Continue reading Hearing delayed to rezone Classen Circle in Oklahoma City

Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”

National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday" program spent about four minutes on Route 66 and the uncertain fate of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which expires in 2019. The segment by NPR affiliate KNAU focuses on Holbrook, Arizona, which features Joe and Aggie's Cafe and the Wigwam Motel, both along the Mother Road. The … Continue reading Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”

Grand opening for Sprague Super Service station set for Aug. 12

The grand opening -- or reopening, if you will -- of the gift shop and information center at the historic Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12. Gift-shop operator Terri Ryburn, who labored for a decade to restore the unique gas station before the city finished the … Continue reading Grand opening for Sprague Super Service station set for Aug. 12

Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena

Officials from Galena, Kansas, and the neighboring states of Oklahoma and Missouri attended a ceremony Saturday to mark the restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena Work on the bridge was finished in early July. Cherokee County received a Community Development Block Grant last year for the repairs, and the county covered the … Continue reading Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena