The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
Category: Preservation
100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
The first of many drive-in theaters opened in New Mexico in 1914. More than 100 years later, someone has compiled an interactive map that shows more than 4,600 drive-in theaters built in the United States. Below is a screen capture of the map, but the direct link to it is here (the map may take several … Continue reading 100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
More about that church in Amboy
Earlier in the month, we reported the steeple at the long-closed church in Amboy, California, would be restored after the elements finally toppled it in 2013. Specifics about the history of the St. Raymond Church in Amboy were scant, save for vague second- and third-hand information. I wrote the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, … Continue reading More about that church in Amboy
Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon
A part of the Interstate 15/215 interchange project that would reconnect a portion of old Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California, was slated to be finished by May. But a new report in the Victorville Daily Press indicates it will reopen early this year. To the south, Route 66 proceeds three-quarters of a mile … Continue reading Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon
Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
The steeple of a church in the desert Route 66 town of Amboy, California, will be restored by mid-month, according to the former manager of Roy's in Amboy. Carlos Aceves also said by text message last week the roof of the long-closed St. Raymond Church in Amboy also will be repaired this month. I began … Continue reading Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
Milk Bottle Building soon will have new tenant
The Milk Bottle Building in Oklahoma City soon will become the office of an architect after a boutique store there went bust after less than a year. Prairie Gothic shuttered its business in the Milk Bottle Building and its original store in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in early December, reported The Oklahoman. In a Facebook post, Prairie Gothic's administrator didn't elaborate … Continue reading Milk Bottle Building soon will have new tenant
Foyil gas station added to National Register of Historic Places
A 1920s gas station along an old alignment of Route 66 in Foyil, Oklahoma, officially was designated to the National Register of Historic Places this month. The designation, effective Dec. 8, came listed in an email Thursday from the National Park Service. We reported in April the long-closed gas station's owner, Kean Isaacs, wished to restore it to “its … Continue reading Foyil gas station added to National Register of Historic Places
Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
The Arroyo Seco Parkway will mark its 75th year of existence this month. The 8-mile stretch of highway, aka Pasadena Freeway or 110 Freeway, opened Dec. 30, 1940. The Los Angeles Daily News provided background on that day: The occasion was marked by parades and proclamations. Rose Queen Sally Stanton cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening it … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful
The good news is U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, long an enemy of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, retired early this year. The bad news is his successor, Sen. James Lankford, has picked up Coburn's schtick and is calling for the program's repeal. For years, Coburn published a yearly report of alleged waste in … Continue reading Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful