It’s time to apply for cost-share grants from federal Route 66 program

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, part of the National Park Service, announced Tuesday it now is taking applications for cost-share grants for 2012. Applications will be accepted through April 6. The grants will be announced later this summer. The cost-share grant program has proven to be an ideal way for historic Route 66 property … Continue reading It’s time to apply for cost-share grants from federal Route 66 program

Manning’s Coffee sign being restored

The historic Manning's Coffee Store rooftop sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles is being restored, reported the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch. Manning's Coffee went out of business in the 1960s, and the sign's neon lighting hasn't functioned for many years. Las Cazuelas restaurant now occupies the building. The area is part of the … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign being restored

A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge

This YouTube poster drove his old Mustang over the recently restored Lake Overholser Bridge, which carries old Route 66 in Oklahoma City: https://youtu.be/j-EAXNUuaDo?t=3m1s The 1924 bridge was reopened to traffic in October after a $4 million repair project. NOTE: Skip ahead to the 3:00 mark to see the relevant footage. I tried to embed it … Continue reading A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge

A visit to Red Oak II

This video by Steve Crutchfield shows and explains the Red Oak II complex off old Route 66 near Carthage, Mo. https://youtu.be/2ILsBIB4mVQ For more, the Red Oak II official website is here.

Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum

Santa Rosa, N.M., is applying for a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program so it can renovate the historic Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse near downtown and eventually house what would be the state's only Route 66 museum. On Dec. 15, Santa Rosa tourism director Richard Delgado announced the intent during a mass email to about 30 Route … Continue reading Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum

El Trovatore resurrected as a motel

El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., recently reopened to overnight travelers after being used as apartments for the past few years. The owner says he plans to restore the historic Route 66 motel in the coming months, including its distinctive neon signs. El Trovatore owner Sam Frisher, born in Israel but has lived in the … Continue reading El Trovatore resurrected as a motel

Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel

The City of Springfield, Ill., is continuing negotiations with the owners of the historic Bel-Aire Motel, with the hope to eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum and visitors center or some other use, reported the State Journal-Register. The owners are Gopal and Nimal Motwani, based in Florida. The motel, on the Sixth Street alignment … Continue reading Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel

Elderly woman may be new owner of old Cuervo school

An 80-year-old woman likely will be the new owner of the long-closed but historic school building in the Route 66 hamlet of Cuervo, N.M., according to a story in the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in nearby Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa school board owns the property, but put it up … Continue reading Elderly woman may be new owner of old Cuervo school

Time to groom some heirs

Esley Hamilton, historian for St. Louis County and a longtime preservation advocate, likely will be forced to retire soon because of budget cuts to the county's parks department, according to a story Wednesday in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hamilton has been a tireless champion for historic structures in St. Louis, including at least one notable … Continue reading Time to groom some heirs

Kansas Route 66 attains Historic Byway status

The Kansas portion of historic Route 66 has been designated as a Kansas Historic Byway, according to a news release today from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The designation applies to all 13 miles of Route 66 in southeastern Kansas, including older alignments. As a result, the route will feature Kansas Scenic Byway signs (example … Continue reading Kansas Route 66 attains Historic Byway status