Less than a week after Landmarks Illinois declared Meramec Caverns barns one of the state's Most Endangered Historic Places, volunteers for the Illinois Route 66 Association repainted one near Cayuga. The association hailed the restoration project: Penny Black posted on Facebook a bunch of photos of the repainting process here. John Weiss of the association's … Continue reading Volunteers repaint Meramec Caverns barn near Cayuga
Category: Preservation
New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
The new Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri, officially debuted on Friday, giving a chance for signs orphaned from long-defunct Route 66 businesses to glow again. It took the Route 66 neon park more than 10 years to become a reality, but it's here. Here are scenes from the lighting ceremony: The park … Continue reading New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington
The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop, opened in early May just steps from the new location of the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The shop will be open from Thursday through Monday from noon to 6 p.m. through November. It's at 110 S. Park St. (map here), just off Route 66 in Wilmington. … Continue reading Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington
Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
City and local officials cut the ceremonial ribbon Saturday and held a soft opening for the Filling Station Visitor Center, housed in a former gas station, along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma. The $1.4 million renovation of the station at 120 S. Choctaw Ave. (aka Route 66) was funded by a grant from the … Continue reading Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements
Local and Route 66 officials attended the rededication of the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas. State and county officials, plus members of the Route 66 Association of Kansas and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, representatives from Galena and Baxter Springs and local business owners attended the … Continue reading Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements
More details emerge about Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert
We've known for a while that the lighting ceremony for the new Route 66 Neon Park at George M. Reed Roadside Park in St. Robert, Missouri, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday. But a news release from the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau provides more details about the orphaned signs from Route 66 businesses in … Continue reading More details emerge about Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert
Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Meramec Caverns barns, a few of which still stand along Route 66, were included on Landmarks Illinois' annual list of its Most Endangered Historic Places. This is what the nonprofit organization said about Meramec Caverns barns: Meramec Caverns is a cave network and tourist attraction located on Route 66 near Stanton, Missouri. In 1933, amateur … Continue reading Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced the third round of Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization grants totaling more than $5.5 million from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. Several grant recipients were already reported here, including to the town of Canute and the Bristow Historic Society. This is a complete list. "With the centennial fast approaching, more … Continue reading Third round of Oklahoma Route 66 grants announced
Canute awarded nearly $700,000 grant, including to restore Cotton Boll Motel sign
The town of Canute, Oklahoma, has landed a $695,000 grant through the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, state officials confirmed last week to KECO radio in nearby Elk City. Among the projects for the grant is the restoration of the iconic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign and repainting of the Washita Motel sign. Funds … Continue reading Canute awarded nearly $700,000 grant, including to restore Cotton Boll Motel sign
Bristow Historical Society awarded grant to restore Chrysler Plymouth tower sign
The Bristow Historical Society of Bristow, Oklahoma, announced last week it had been awarded a state grant to restore and relight the Chrysler Plymouth neon tower sign closer to Route 66. More details from the society: The sign is about 100 feet tall, and the society claims it would be the tallest freestanding sign on … Continue reading Bristow Historical Society awarded grant to restore Chrysler Plymouth tower sign