A reporter for The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City wants to track down all of the old Phillips 66 cottage-style gas stations in the Oklahoma City metro area. Business writer Brianna Bailey wrote about that quest during a recent column: With their jaunty gabled roofs, chimneys, and arched entryways, there’s something that draws me to … Continue reading Reporter wants to track down Phillips 66 cottage stations on OKC area
Category: Preservation
Joplin city council OKs architectural study on century-old garage
The city council of Joplin, Missouri, voted 6-3 to approve a $14,000 architectural study on a circa-1920 garage that's envisioned as a Route 66 welcome center, according to the Joplin Globe. The money for the study will come from motel tax money and be used by the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau. The dilapidated garage is … Continue reading Joplin city council OKs architectural study on century-old garage
Mr. Sam and the Arcadia Round Barn
This well-produced video is situated at the historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, but focuses more on the Route 66 landmark's longtime host, Mr. Sam. Arcadia from Stewart Perryman on Vimeo. Alas, Mr. Sam resigned as chairman of the Arcadia Historical Society in March. But I get the impression Mr. Sam won't stay away from … Continue reading Mr. Sam and the Arcadia Round Barn
King bridge in St. Louis closes Monday for months
The Martin Luther King Bridge that connects East St. Louis, Illinois, to St. Louis is expected to close starting Monday for months because of repairs, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The bridge, built as a toll bridge in 1951, needs to have its decks rebuilt. The King Bridge, also known as the Veterans Bridge, served … Continue reading King bridge in St. Louis closes Monday for months
Joplin visitors-center idea may face wrecking ball
A nearly century-old gas station in Joplin, Missouri, envisioned as a Route 66 visitors center instead may be torn down, partly because city councilors are balking at the site's rehabilitation costs, according to the Joplin Globe. Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau director Patrick Tuttle wanted the property at 1109-1111 Langston Hughes-Broadway to be converted into a Route 66 … Continue reading Joplin visitors-center idea may face wrecking ball
Thefts hit Gay Parita Station
Apparently the same thief or thieves who recently struck the ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, also hit the nearby Gay Parita Sinclair station in recent days. According to Steve Turner, son of late Gay Parita owner Gary Turner, the following items were taken: Royal Crown thermometer by the Dunlop Tires sign Squirt oil sign below … Continue reading Thefts hit Gay Parita Station
Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced
A couple of weeks ago, the Route 66: The Road Ahead initiative announced a series of collaborative workshops in seven cities in July. This week, the initiative provided times and places for each workshop: --- Tuesday, July 21, Springfield, Illinois, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Route 66 Hotel Conference Center, 625 E. St. Joseph St. (map … Continue reading Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced
Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
A rival developer's appeal of the city of Albuquerque's decision to award a redevelopment contract for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge was rejected Monday night during the regular council meeting, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The winning contractor, Anthea, will spend a projected $8.2 million to renovate the Route 66 motel into extended-stay lodging, … Continue reading Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer
Vandals damaged portions of the semi-restored ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, on old Route 66 last week, according to a report by KYTV in nearby Springfield. Quentin Stockman is the caretaker for the complex. Spencer lies on a 1928 alignment of Route 66, and the buildings were renovated to look like that era. “That used … Continue reading Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer
Route 66: The Road Ahead hosting regional workshops
The Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative will host Route 66 Collaboration Workshops at seven cities in July, according to a news release Friday. The initiative is joining with the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on the workshops, in which members of Route 66 associations, tourism officials, economic development professionals, business owners, preservationists, … Continue reading Route 66: The Road Ahead hosting regional workshops