Not many people know this, but about 70 prisoners-of-war are buried just off Route 66 in Fort Reno west of El Reno, Oklahoma. They are Germans and Italians captured during World War II and brought to the Sooner State until the war was over. Heidi Brandes of the Reuters news service has some of the … Continue reading The little-known POW graves of Oklahoma
Category: Preservation
Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
The Grand Canyon Railway, based in the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, will bring back a 1923 steam locomotive and Pullman cars for special displays and excursions on Father's Day weekend, June 14-15. It's part of the railroad's first Williams Train Days festival, which, according to the news release, will have other goodies that … Continue reading Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
Webb City wants to add downtown to National Register
A move is afoot in Webb City, Missouri, to add its entire downtown district to the National Register of Historic Places, reported KOAM-TV in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas. Webb City is looking at the move not just to add a publicity hook, but to help owners renovate historic buildings with tax credits. Here's the report: KOAM … Continue reading Webb City wants to add downtown to National Register
A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station
KC Keefer continues his Genuine Route 66 Life video series with an interview with Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma. Afton Station, a former gas station on Route 66 in town, was converted into a display area for a Packards collection and as a visitors center for Route 66 travelers. https://youtu.be/B3NpM-BRY9k Kane … Continue reading A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station
Devil’s Elbow Bridge reopens to traffic
The historic Devil's Elbow Bridge along Route 66 in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, reopened to traffic Thursday -- three months early -- after much-needed repairs were completed. The blog of Pulaski County Tourism Bureau has the details of the unannounced reopening: Pulaski County Commissioner Gene Newkirk noted that the first vehicles to cross the bridge were … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Bridge reopens to traffic
Route 66 Bridge makes Missouri Preservation’s Most Endangered List
The Route 66 Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Missouri, made Missouri Preservation's Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2014, according to a news release Tuesday. The Diamonds Cafe, aka the Tri-County Truck Stop, also on Route 66 in Villa Ridge, also made the preservation group's Watched list for 2014. Here's what the … Continue reading Route 66 Bridge makes Missouri Preservation’s Most Endangered List
Albuquerque closes in on Route 66 revitalization plan
KOB-TV reports that the city of Albuquerque is "one step closer" to implementing a proposal revitalization plan for Route 66. Here's the station's report: A key excerpt from the report: An in-depth draft of the plan details what's ahead, including preservation of historic motels and milestones, financial perks for developers who build homes and shops … Continue reading Albuquerque closes in on Route 66 revitalization plan
Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
The Sundowner Motel, a Route 66 lodging establishment in Albuquerque where Bill Gates and Paul Allen lived while starting Microsoft, will reopen to the public Tuesday after a $5.4 million renovation into apartments, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Developer NewLife Homes, which has refurbished other Route 66 motels in Albuquerque into housing, is holding a grand … Continue reading Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
Historic Tropics sign removed
ExploreLoganCounty.com on Wednesday posted on its Facebook page a photo of the Tropics sign along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, being removed. The tourism agency said: Although it will be missed from the landscape, the city of Lincoln (the new owner of the sign) has expressed plans to have it restored. When this will happen … Continue reading Historic Tropics sign removed
Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
The City of Joliet, Illinois, hopes to strike an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections so the long-closed Joliet Prison can be reopened for tours, reported the Northwest Herald. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is clamoring for access of the old prison because tourists -- many of them traveling on Route 66 -- want to … Continue reading Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison