Today marked the opening of the souvenir shack at the historic Blue Whale, just off Route 66 in Catoosa, Okla. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, or for special occasions or sizable tour groups. The stand sells postcards (many of them decades old), T-shirts, magnets, coozies, Catoosa creme soda, and … Continue reading Tourist season begins at Blue Whale … and more
Category: Preservation
Pearls of news items
Today, I was asked to attend the Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The event was organized by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. I made my pitch for the ample online news archives of Route 66 News. But, as is typical of such gatherings, I heard a few pearls of … Continue reading Pearls of news items
A blue tie affair
Tonight, I was volunteer for the Blue Tie Affair, a fundraising dinner for the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla. The event featured an outdoor dinner at the Blue Whale grounds, and was catered by the nearby Molly's Landing restaurant. The weather and atmosphere were perfect. It's not often that you see a string orchestra performing … Continue reading A blue tie affair
Historic theater in Lincoln will be honored
The city of Lincoln, Ill., and Main Street Lincoln soon will honor the historic Lincoln Theatre as a part of National Preservation Week, according to the Lincoln Daily News. The theater, now a four-screen movie house, sits just a couple of blocks from Route 66 in downtown Lincoln, at 215 S. Kickapoo St. It's been … Continue reading Historic theater in Lincoln will be honored
A closer look at the Campbell Hotel
For many months, we'd watched as the former Casa Loma Hotel building on Route 66 in Tulsa was being renovated. A few weeks ago, a new neon sign had been installed for what is now called the Campbell Hotel. With the Tulsa Designer Showcase starting this weekend, we finally had a chance to see what the … Continue reading A closer look at the Campbell Hotel
Local group considers buying the Boots Motel
A group in Carthage, Mo., is considering ways to preserve the historic Boots Motel along Route 66 as a town landmark, reports the Joplin Globe. “It was pretty much unanimous that they want to see more preservation along Route 66 in Carthage. Since the Boots is for sale, it would be the first target,” said … Continue reading Local group considers buying the Boots Motel
Historic rooftop sign will be relighted
The historic rooftop sign on the Highland Theatre in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles will be relighted at 7 p.m. May 17, according to a news release from the North Figueroa Association. The sign contains 502 light bulbs. Its restoration was paid for by donations and a cost-share grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Historic rooftop sign will be relighted
Pontiacs arriving in Pontiac in early May
Oklahoma resident Tim Dye's collection of vintage Pontiac vehicles is set to arrive the morning of May 5 at the new Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center in Pontiac, Ill., according to a news release today from Pontiac Tourism. One semi-load of cars that will be displayed at the museum at 205 N. Mill St. in … Continue reading Pontiacs arriving in Pontiac in early May
A desert oasis
Do read this wonderful article in the Los Angeles Times' business section about the historic Desert Market in the tiny Route 66 town of Daggett, Calif. It's owned by Yousuf "Joe" Khawaldeh, yet another non-native who's helping keep a slice of the old Mother Road alive. We've actually been to this store, and this excerpt in … Continue reading A desert oasis
Zeno’s goes on the market
The historic Zeno's Motel & Steakhouse along old Route 66 in Rolla, Mo., is up for sale for $2.2 million. The restaurant and motel, which date to 1956, is listed with Heyle Realtors in Springfield, Mo. The complex includes 50 guest rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, banquet facilities, lounge, and the restaurant. A longtime … Continue reading Zeno’s goes on the market