The Union Trust Bank Co. building in downtown East St. Louis, Illinois, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The well-preserved structure at 200 Collinsville Ave. (map here) was listed May 27, according to an email last week from the National Park Service, which runs the National Register. The building was on … Continue reading East St. Louis bank building added to National Register
Category: Preservation
Rock Creek Bridge may reopen in next month
The historic Rock Creek Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since March 2013, may reopen to lighter vehicles sometime next month, according to a city official in nearby Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Suzanne Shirey, president of the Sapulpa Area Chamber of Commerce, revealed the plans for the 1921 bridge during an email a few days ago: We … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge may reopen in next month
Couple buys and renames Royal Inn in Tucumcari
A couple from Dallas has purchased the Royal Inn motel along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and plans to restore its retro decor, reported the Quay County Sun newspaper, based in Tucumcari. The new owners are David and Amanda Brener, who renamed the motel the Roadrunner Lodge. They hope to have it reopened by July … Continue reading Couple buys and renames Royal Inn in Tucumcari
The little-known POW graves of Oklahoma
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
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