It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Category: Preservation
Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
A transportation bill proposed by U.S. House committee chairman would eliminate the National Scenic Byways program, according to an email from an official with the Route 66 Association of New Mexico. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday that would repeal the byways program, according to an email … Continue reading Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
Group sets cleanup, festival in west Tulsa
Tulsa's Young Professionals, aka TYPros, announced Wednesday it would stage its annual Street CReD event along the Route 66 corridor of west Tulsa's Red Fork neighborhood on April 13-14. The news release states: The goal of this year’s Street CReD, titled Red Fork Revival, will be to bring back some of this history and show the community the potential … Continue reading Group sets cleanup, festival in west Tulsa
The Nat will become an antique mall
The Nat Ballroom, a legendary former nightclub on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, will be converted into an antique mall that perhaps will eventually include a cafe and movie screen, reported the Amarillo Globe-News today. The previous tenant's lease ended in December after nine years. Kasey Robinson, a local business owner, promptly picked up the … Continue reading The Nat will become an antique mall
Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
David Lamb of Smithsonian magazine has written an excellent article about Route 66's abandonment by the U.S. highway system and the Mother Road's eventual revival. It's in the February issue, but you can read it online here. The article focuses on Arizona -- Angel Delgadillo and the small Route 66 town of Seligman, La Posada … Continue reading Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
The City of Springfield, Mo., discussed ideas Wednesday on how to revitalize College Street west of downtown, which also served as the original Route 66. KSPR-TV filed this good video report: One person voiced concerns that are on the minds of many roadies. According to the Springfield News-Leader: Route 66 Association of Missouri President Tommy … Continue reading Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
Angel makes an appearance in “American Restoration”
In the past week, the History Channel show "American Restoration" stopped in Seligman, Ariz. There, among other things, they renovated an old Wurlitzer jukebox that sat inside the shop of Angel "Guardian Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo. The 22-minute episode can be watched in its entirety here. (Hat tip: Colin Wilkes)
Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
Tulsa's Blue Dome District in the eastern part of downtown has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. According to NPS, the listing was effective Dec. 13. The district includes Second Street, an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. The approximate … Continue reading Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
If you have a couple of hours, I urge you to download the "Route 66 Economic Impact Study" by Rutgers University. The main report is more than 400 pages, but this 59-page summary will prove very useful and concise. The reports recently were posted on the website of one of the study's collaborators, the World Monuments … Continue reading The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
Manning’s Coffee sign glows again
This recently restored Manning's Coffee Store rooftop neon sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles was relighted during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. This video from the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch shows the switch being thrown: The fellow on the right helping the munchkin drop the switch is Scott Piotrowski, author of the "Finding … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign glows again