The restoration of the one-room schoolhouse in the Route 66 hamlet of Phelps, Missouri, marked a milestone Friday by reinstalling the bell tower and bell on the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. The nonprofit Phelps School Community Center started its efforts about a year ago to restore the dilapidated but cherished building, which sits … Continue reading Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
Category: Preservation
Construction on El Vado project will begin by summer
The long-awaited redevelopment project for the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will begin by summer, reported KOAT-TV, citing sources with the city. The plan is to turn part of it into a boutique motel with an amphitheater, a pool, shops and a food court. Construction for an affordable apartment building next door will begin … Continue reading Construction on El Vado project will begin by summer
“Route 66 in Illinois”
The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
“Route 66 as Seen Through Europeans”
Tourism directors and businesses on Route 66 want to draw more European travelers but aren't sure how to do so. So who better to give advice than a European who's a longtime Route 66 fan? Swa Frantzen of Belgium fit the bill during his presentation at the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, on Oct. … Continue reading “Route 66 as Seen Through Europeans”
A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted this video about the late Bob Waldmire's school bus that Waldmire converted into living quarters years ago. After Waldmire's death from cancer in 2009, the bus was parked at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac to be permanently displayed. Museum curator John Wille gives the lowdown … Continue reading A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Nearly 30 head of native bison were reintroduced this week to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie along Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois -- the first time buffalo have roamed in that area in nearly two centuries. Bison were exterminated by the 1830s in northern Illinois, and the animals were hunted to near-extinction in the United … Continue reading Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Gasconade River Bridge placed on state’s improvement list
The closed Gasconade River Bridge that carries old Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri, was placed on the Missouri Department of Transportation's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program from 2015 to 2019, according to the Lebanon Daily Record. The state closed the bridge in December 2014 after an inspection revealed its deterioration made it unsafe. Route 66 enthusiasts … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge placed on state’s improvement list
Cucamonga Service Station reopens as a museum
The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, opened a new chapter in its existence as a museum during a grand reopening Wednesday, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. The Route 66 IECA gathered about $100,000 from fundraisers to help restore the station. And the group keeps making improvements to … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station reopens as a museum
About 1,000 attend hearing on proposed Mojave Trails Monument
More than 1,000 people attended a public hearing near Palm Springs, California, on Tuesday to discuss U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's proposal to have President Barack Obama use his executive authority to declare a large part of the Mojave Desert into the Mojave Trails National Monument, reported The Desert Sun. The Mojave Trails National Monument would … Continue reading About 1,000 attend hearing on proposed Mojave Trails Monument
Grand opening for Cucamonga Service Station set for Wednesday
A grand opening is set for Wednesday for the historic Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The big event in the 9600 block of East Foothill Boulevard will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Route 66 IECA has spent years and organized many fundraisers to restore the century-old gas station. The group plans to use … Continue reading Grand opening for Cucamonga Service Station set for Wednesday