The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced it was awarding a total of 14 Preservation & Economic Development Grants worth $2,500 each in 2026. Recipients were chosen from 124 applications. Qualifying projects were reviewed by an independent review committee from across the eight Route 66 states. Eligible activities included capital improvements, historic preservation planning … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announces 14 Preservation & Economic Development grant recipients
Category: Preservation
Iconic Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo put on the market for $100,000
The iconically shaped Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo, Texas, was recently put on the market for $100,000. The eatery is at 3102 Plains Blvd., a little more than a mile south of the city's Sixth Street alignment of Route 66. But its early roots were part of the Mother Road. Lyons Realty is listing … Continue reading Iconic Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo put on the market for $100,000
“Great American Road Rally” to bring Route 66 stories to television while raising funds for the Mother Road
Route 66 takes center stage this month when "The Great American Road Rally," a national television event celebrating America’s iconic highway through cars, celebrities, storytelling and philanthropy, premieres on The CW Network. The series premieres today and continues through its finale, scheduled for Nov. 25, the night before Thanksgiving. Throughout the series, viewers will be … Continue reading “Great American Road Rally” to bring Route 66 stories to television while raising funds for the Mother Road
Neon sign for Western Motel in Sayre lit for the first time since the 1980s
The switch was thrown for the restored neon sign at the Western Motel in Sayre, Oklahoma, during a ceremony on Saturday night. The City of Sayre stated it was the first time the neon glowed at the Route 66 motel since the 1980s. Here's a short video by Noreen Patterson of the countdown of the … Continue reading Neon sign for Western Motel in Sayre lit for the first time since the 1980s
David Knudson, founder of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, dies at 86
David M. Knudson, founder of the trailblazing National Historic Route 66 Federation during the mid-1990s, died on Aug. 31 in Yucaipa, California. He was 86. Knudson's death was announced by his son on Friday. A memorial service will be on Sept. 26 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Yucaipa. His obituary states he was born … Continue reading David Knudson, founder of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, dies at 86
Future of Gold Dome in Oklahoma City uncertain after it unexpectedly lands another buyer
The historic Gold Dome in Oklahoma City faces an uncertain future after another party unexpectedly bought the property during a sheriff's auction. The sale occurred the same day the city council approved $3 million in tax incentives for another developer who wanted to turn it into a music venue. The Journal-Record has a good summary … Continue reading Future of Gold Dome in Oklahoma City uncertain after it unexpectedly lands another buyer
Albuquerque building where Microsoft was founded is added to the National Register of Historic Places
The Cal-Linn Building in Albuquerque, where computer megacompany Microsoft was founded, was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service, which administers the program, announced the designation in an email on Sept. 4. The designation was effective on Sept. 1. The Cal-Linn Building is at 6320 Linn Ave. NE, one block … Continue reading Albuquerque building where Microsoft was founded is added to the National Register of Historic Places
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway
On Nov. 11, exactly 100 years after the commissioning of Route 66, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway will host its inaugural Mother Road Conference at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield. The conference will bring together Route 66 business owners, tourism professionals, preservationists, enthusiasts, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the highway’s centennial … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway to host inaugural Mother Road Conference on 100th anniversary of highway
“Exhibiting Route 66” is part of this month’s Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Jeffrey Richardson, curator of the traveling "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit, will explain how artifacts were chosen as part of this month's Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. The free streaming session will be broadcast at 2 p.m. Eastern time and 11 a.m. Pacific on Sept. 8 from the Autry Museum of the … Continue reading “Exhibiting Route 66” is part of this month’s Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Brewery’s Blue Whale Lemon Wheat Ale helps maintain Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Cabin Boys Brewery in Tulsa recently created a Blue Whale Lemon Wheat Ale, where its sales will help the landmark Blue Whale and its new visitors center in nearby Catoosa, Oklahoma. According to TulsaPeople magazine, the brewery and the City of Catoosa collaborated on the beer. “It’s a natural fit,” says Cabin Boys co-owner and … Continue reading Brewery’s Blue Whale Lemon Wheat Ale helps maintain Blue Whale site in Catoosa