The recent designation of three national monuments in California -- including the Mojave Trails National Monument that includes Route 66 -- was formally celebrated Thursday by conservationists and the Secretary of the Interior. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell attended the celebration, according to The Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs. The other two monuments are the Sand … Continue reading Formal celebration held for new California monuments
Category: Preservation
Kelly’s Brew Pub gets new owners; lawsuit filed against it
Kelly's Brew Pub, located in an old gas station and car dealership on Route 66 in Albuquerque, soon will be acquired by Santa Fe Dining. During the same week, media outlets reported several current and former workers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Kelly's Brew Pub, alleging the restaurant and microbrewery violated the city's minimum-wage ordinance. Santa Fe Dining … Continue reading Kelly’s Brew Pub gets new owners; lawsuit filed against it
Route 66 Car Museum opening next month in Springfield
Classic-car collector Guy Mace plans to open a Route 66 Car Museum on June 15 at 1624 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Missouri. According to a news release from the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau: Patrons can see two Rolls Royces, the 1926 Hudson used in the 1939 movie “The Grapes of … Continue reading Route 66 Car Museum opening next month in Springfield
Laurel Kane will be inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame posthumously later this year, it was learned Saturday during a celebration of her life. A panel from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association selects two winners — one living and one deceased — from a list of … Continue reading Laurel Kane will be inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Grocery may move into Gold Dome in Oklahoma City
A Natural Grocers store likely will move into the historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. The deal with the building's owner, Jonathan Russell, negotiated with the grocery chain and its developer to have it oversee the building's renovation, yet preserve its historical integrity. The deal must be approved by the … Continue reading Grocery may move into Gold Dome in Oklahoma City
Hundreds show up for Gasconade River Bridge rally
Hundreds of historic preservationists and Route 66ers showed up Saturday afternoon for Gasconade River Bridge rally near Hazelgreen, Missouri, to persuade the Missouri Department of Transportation to preserve the Route 66 bridge. KY3 in Springfield, Missouri, posted this good report from the rally: Based on the station's reporting, it seems MoDOT will not reopen the … Continue reading Hundreds show up for Gasconade River Bridge rally
Talk heats up about restoring Herring Hotel in Amarillo
Long-simmering talk of restoring the long-closed Herring Hotel in Amarillo reached a boiling point the past week or so, according to several media outlets. KFDA-TV in Amarillo reported Wednesday the owner is talking to investors who want to restore the stately building: Robert Goodrich plans to formally announce the renovation in the next few weeks. In … Continue reading Talk heats up about restoring Herring Hotel in Amarillo
A new view of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Jeff Pierson recently took his drone copter onto the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis and got some fascinating footage from the air. Not only do you get an overhead view of the 1929 bridge, but also the two remarkably close looks of the intake towers in the Mississippi River that once helped supply water … Continue reading A new view of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Munger Moss Motel to mark 70th birthday Saturday
The Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will be marking its 70th birthday Saturday with music, food and dancing. There's a triple reason for the celebration, however. The Route 66 motel's owners, Bob and Ramona Lehman, will mark their 45th year along Route 66. And Route 66 itself will mark its 90th anniversary later this year. … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel to mark 70th birthday Saturday
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie now leading bison tours
Rangers at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie off Route 66 near Chicago now will lead hikes to a pasture that contains recently introduced bison. The Rangers will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends through October, reported the Kankakee Daily Journal. If you go this month, chances are good you'll see baby buffalo. The … Continue reading Midewin Tallgrass Prairie now leading bison tours