About 2 1/2 years ago, it was reported Route 66's distinctive Rose Bowl in Tulsa would become the new home of the One Hope Ministry's training center for at-risk youth. Its plans included a basketball court on one section and an artificial turf area on the other. This week, the Fox23 television station in Tulsa provided an update … Continue reading Look what the Rose Bowl looks like now
Category: Preservation
Gasconade River Bridge to remain closed indefinitely
The Gasconade River Bridge that carried Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri, will remain closed indefinitely because the state lacks the funds to repair or replace it, according to a news release Monday from the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT officials closed the bridge in December after an inspection found worse-than-expected deterioration of the 90-year-old span. … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge to remain closed indefinitely
Panel may advocate designating Route 66 a National Historic Trail
A national committee of Route 66 advocates is exploring the possibility of lobbying the federal government to permanently designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail under the auspices of the National Park Service, according to a news release Monday from the group. The group, which now calls itself Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative, … Continue reading Panel may advocate designating Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Restoration planned for Tulsa’s Blue Dome
The owners of the Blue Dome gas station in downtown Tulsa want to restore it to its original look and open it as a special-events center, according to KOKI-TV in Tulsa. Chris and JoAnn Armstrong bought for former gas station about 18 months ago. Built in 1912 as a Gulf station (with an apartment in … Continue reading Restoration planned for Tulsa’s Blue Dome
Joliet church will be redeveloped into a restaurant, apartments
A developer is seeking to redevelop the historic but long-closed St. Mary Carmelite Church in Joliet, Illinois, into a large restaurant and apartments, according to the Joliet Bugle. “A loan has been secured, and they are going to close in April,” Mayor Tom Giarrante said on Friday. “I am very happy. It is a beautiful … Continue reading Joliet church will be redeveloped into a restaurant, apartments
Rock Creek Bridge reopens to traffic
The historic Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was reopened to traffic Wednesday morning after a ceremony marking the occasion attended by the state's lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb was there to cut the ceremonial ribbon to the bridge, then rode in an antique car across the historic span, along with several dozen other … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge reopens to traffic
National Trust shepherds preservation plan for Southwest Museum
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has added the century-old Southwest Museum of the American Indian as a "national treasure" and is devising a plan for its future, according to the Los Angeles Times. Here's what the newspaper found out: Over the next 18 months, the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust will gather ideas and build … Continue reading National Trust shepherds preservation plan for Southwest Museum
Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
The city of Pacific, Missouri, has been awarded a $350,000 grant to help buy Lookout on Jensen’s Point off Route 66, reported the Washington Missourian. The St. Louis County Parks awarded the grant earlier this month. Pacific's parks and recreation department will use the landmark after the sale with longtime owner Wayne Winchester goes through. … Continue reading Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges
Mead & Hunt, an engineering and planning firm with offices nationwide, is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on the possibility of repairing or replacing railings on historic bridges along the Route 66 corridor. Route 66 in Oklahoma is designated a National Scenic Byway and is developing a Corridor Management Plan to help preserve … Continue reading Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges
Kingman Club sign restored
The owner of a soon-to-open craft beer and wine bar in downtown Kingman, Arizona, restored the famous Kingman Club neon sign and relighted it during a ceremony Saturday night. The House of Hops, which plans to open by summer, are taking over a tavern that dates to 1944. According to a variety of sources, the … Continue reading Kingman Club sign restored