American Profile magazine published a delightful article about Geraldine Bunn, who is the elevator attendant at the historic Jasper County Courthouse just off Route 66 in Carthage, Mo. The courthouse needs an elevator attendant because the open-cage, wrought-iron elevator was installed in 1916 and is not an automatic model. Bunn has to align the elevator just … Continue reading Giving folks a lift
Category: Preservation
Market C in Oklahoma City closing tomorrow
Market C, a gourmet prepared-foods store in a converted Phillips 66 gas station along Route 66 in Oklahoma City, will cease operations Friday, reported The Oklahoman. A group led by restaurateurs Keith and Heather Paul owned the business. It also announced the closure of their Iron Starr Urban Barbecue restaurant in town in nearby Norman, … Continue reading Market C in Oklahoma City closing tomorrow
Cahokia Mounds featured in National Geographic
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, located on an older alignment of Route 66 near Collinsville, Ill., is featured in an excellent article in the current issue of National Geographic. The story reportedly has boosted number of visitors at Cahokia Mounds and prompted a follow-up story by the Suburban Journals of St. Louis. The National Geographic article … Continue reading Cahokia Mounds featured in National Geographic
Co-owner of Sprague’s Super Service Station dies
William Sanders, 77, co-owner of the historic Sprague's Super Service gas station on Route 66 in Normal, Ill., with his wife Terri Ryburn, died Thursday in an area hospital, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. Sanders' death was announced Sunday by Cathie Stevanovich, president of the Illinois Route 66 Association. Stevanovich wrote: Terri and Bill were in … Continue reading Co-owner of Sprague’s Super Service Station dies
Route 66 program taking applications for cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is now taking applications for cost-share grants through April 1 for its 2011 season. The cost-share program's purpose is: ... to support the preservation of the most significant and representative historic Route 66 buildings, structures, road segments, and cultural landscapes in the eight states through which the route passes. … Continue reading Route 66 program taking applications for cost-share grants
Mayor: Blue Whale on short list for grant
As expected, Rogers County endorsed the City of Catoosa, Okla.'s effort to apply for a $600,000 state grant to buy the Blue Whale on Route 66 and make improvements to the property, reported the Claremore Daily Progress today. But the most intriguing part of the story is this: Mayor Rita Lamkin said the city is … Continue reading Mayor: Blue Whale on short list for grant
The old neon cross
The Alton (Ill.) Telegraph published a story about the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, Ill., which has featured a blue neon cross atop it that Route 66 and Interstate 55 travelers have gazed upon since the 1940s. A story about the neon cross that you may not have known: The cross was dedicated in … Continue reading The old neon cross
Catoosa seeks grant to buy Blue Whale
The city of Catoosa, Okla., has applied for a $600,000 grant to buy the iconic Blue Whale landmark and make improvements on its grounds, according to the Claremore Daily Progress. Officials should know by February whether it receives a state Transportation Enhancement Grant to purchase the Blue Whale, enlarge its parking lot, install decorative signs, and build … Continue reading Catoosa seeks grant to buy Blue Whale
Bankruptcy filing prevents foreclosure of theater
The trust that owns the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Mo., filed for bankruptcy late Thursday afternoon to stave off a foreclosure sale scheduled for today, reported the Springfield News-Leader today. The historic theater, on an early alignment of Route 66, faced foreclosure over nonpayment of a $3.5 million loan with Guaranty Bank. The theater … Continue reading Bankruptcy filing prevents foreclosure of theater
Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
I finally had the chance to stay overnight at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., and am glad I did. This historic Route 66 motel has been transformed from a diamond in the rough into a gleaming jewel, thanks to the ongoing renovation efforts by new owner Connie Echols. I noted the Wagon Wheel … Continue reading Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel