A proposed Illiana Expressway that will connect Interstate 55 to Interstate 65 near Gary, Ind., may affect Route 66 and other historic landmarks in Wilmington, Ill., reported The Herald-News of Joliet, Ill. Virginia Ferry, chairwoman of the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, told the newspaper she is determined to mitigate those effects. “I know we … Continue reading Proposed freeway may affect Route 66, landmarks
Category: Preservation
Cleanup day for The Mill is Wednesday afternoon
The Route 66 Heritage Foundation is planning a cleanup day for The Mill restaurant site at 738 S. Washington (Route 66) in Lincoln, Ill., from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Geoff Ladd, chairman of the foundation, says tours also will be available of the long-closed but much-improved restaurant, which nearly faced the wrecking ball several … Continue reading Cleanup day for The Mill is Wednesday afternoon
Vic Suhling sign in Litchfield taken down for restoration
On Thursday, the historic Vic Suhling / Gas for Less sign along Route 66 in Litchfield, Ill., was removed for the first time in decades so it can be restored and reinstalled next to the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. A St. Louis shop is doing the work. Plans are for the refurbished … Continue reading Vic Suhling sign in Litchfield taken down for restoration
“Shadows on 66” trailer
A few days ago, the folks who produced the upcoming "Shadows on 66" paranormal series posted this trailer for the first episode, which features Galena's Murder Bordello. https://youtu.be/DGDmIOEMYxg The episode will be available Sept. 13 via download or DVD from iTunes or the "Shadows on 66" website. Other Route 66-related episodes reportedly are coming in … Continue reading “Shadows on 66” trailer
El Vado Motel being considered as a food market
A food and farmers market is one of the proposals being considered for reusing the long-closed El Vado Motel along old Route 66 in Albuquerque, reported KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque seized the historic motel from a local developer who wanted to raze it and build luxury townhouses. Now, after sitting for several … Continue reading El Vado Motel being considered as a food market
Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday
The History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo., is hosting a "Moon Over the Mother Road" ceremony Thursday night to mark the relighting of Barth's Department Store neon sign on the roof of the museum. It's a private fundraiser, but enough side streets will be open during the ceremony that most people will see … Continue reading Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday
Limited-edition T-shirts raises money for Whiting Bros. sign restoration
Retro -- Relive the Route, a group that aims to improve historic preservation and tourism in the Edgewood and Moriarty area of New Mexico, is selling a limited-edition T-shirt that will help raise the funds to restore the signs at the only surviving gas station of the Whiting Bros. chain. The group received a $3,700 … Continue reading Limited-edition T-shirts raises money for Whiting Bros. sign restoration
It’s official — architectural firm buying Gold Dome in Oklahoma City
TEEMCO, an environmental professional engineering firm based in Edmond, Okla., announced Monday it will purchase the historic Gold Dome in Oklahoma City, move its headquarters there and preserve the structure. The impending purchase was reported by The Oklahoman newspaper in mid-June. TEEMCO made it official with a news release Monday. While preserving the striking geodesic dome structure, … Continue reading It’s official — architectural firm buying Gold Dome in Oklahoma City
Motel brings back sign destroyed in 1952 wreck
The Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven in Springfield, Mo., on Friday installed a near-replica of a directional sign that was destroyed in a traffic accident in 1952. The Springfield News-Leader reports: The 10-foot-long sign is in the shape of an arrow with the word “Springfield” pointing traffic down St. Louis Street to downtown. Below … Continue reading Motel brings back sign destroyed in 1952 wreck
U-Drop Inn will swap out neon lighting for LEDs
The historic U-Drop Inn gas station in Shamrock, Texas, soon will replace its neon lighting with durable LED tubing after a hailstorm destroyed most of the neon in May. The change -- if successful -- might signal the eventual replacement of notoriously fragile neon with LEDs on scores of historic signs on Route 66. After … Continue reading U-Drop Inn will swap out neon lighting for LEDs