Work crews are busy restoring the giant Vess Soda bottle near Route 66 in St. Louis to mark the company's 100th anniversary. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The 34-foot tall, steel bottle will get a new paint job. On Friday morning, workers removed piles of trash from the base of the bottle and … Continue reading Giant Vess Soda bottle in St. Louis being restored
Category: Preservation
Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens
The historic Jensen's Point that overlooks Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, reopened last weekend, almost 25 years after it had been closed to the public. According to a blog post for the Washington Missourian: The landmark is now a Pacific city park and will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. There is a paved parking … Continue reading Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens
Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
The city of Tulsa long had promised the clocks that once sat on top of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign would be replaced "when funding becomes available." Apparently the money is in the bank. The Tulsa World reports bids to replace the clocks will come due this week. The clocks stood at the very … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store
Galena's Bordello in Galena, Kansas, recently was purchased by an English couple and has been converted into an antiques store. KSN-TV reports David and Vicky Horbury have changed the name to Bordello Antiques: They sell all antiques that are imported from their home country. They say they fell in love with the people and Route … Continue reading Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store
Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
As Memorial Day approaches, do yourself a favor and read this amazing story from the Chicago Tribune about a schoolteacher who guided his students to identify worn tombstones of once-forgotten Civil War soldiers at a cemetery overlooking Route 66 in Odell, Illinois. The Tribune also created a video about the Operation Gravestone project, which likely will make … Continue reading Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month
The historic Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs, Kansas, will reopen in July after it underwent nine years of renovations by a local couple. The Joplin Globe reported: A retired Caterpillar manager, Ron Puckett, 74, did much of the work himself after the couple bought the building at the northwest corner of 12th Street and Military … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month
Your vote may help the Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is one of 20 national parks that could receive a grant, but it needs votes to get it. More from the news release: In honor of the National Park Service’s Centennial, we at the National Trust for Historic Preservation have joined with National Geographic and American Express for Partners … Continue reading Your vote may help the Gateway Arch
New Mexico aims to help old theaters
The state of New Mexico is trying to fix up movie theaters in small towns not only for the sake of historic preservation, but also to give an economic boost. The Associated Press reports: An economic development program, similar to efforts in Iowa and Illinois, seeks save the often-forgotten facilities [...] with help on refurbishing … Continue reading New Mexico aims to help old theaters
Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial
The United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin, Missouri, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. June 12 to mark the 100th anniversary of its uniquely designed Jewish temple, situated on Route 66. Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc., a group dedicated to preserving the historic Murphysburg residential district in Joplin, is partnering with the congregation for … Continue reading Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial
The result from the photo session at the Meramec River Bridge
On Saturday, Route 66 fans and preservationists were invited to the Route 66 State Park office near Eureka, Missouri, for a photo shoot at the Meramac River Route 66 Bridge for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matters” campaign. Here is the result: The photo also is being used in the GoFundMe page for the bridge. Various … Continue reading The result from the photo session at the Meramec River Bridge