Give an inch, take a mile to save a bridge

Vicky Hartzler, the newly elected U.S. Representative in Missouri's 4th District, has e-mailed constituents and asked them to send photos of notable sights in her district so she can display them when she takes office next month. The Pulaski County Daily tells the rest of the story: At Thursday morning’s meeting of the Pulaski County … Continue reading Give an inch, take a mile to save a bridge

Vega Motel shows signs of new life

The Vega Motel boasts a new owner who's converted part of the historic Route 66 motel in Vega, Texas, into a business center, and wants to reopen part of the property for overnight guests again. Darren Elliott, pastor of Christ's Community Fellowship church in Vega, bought the property during a tax auction in June, remodeled a … Continue reading Vega Motel shows signs of new life

Triangle Motel named to National Register

The Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Dec. 7, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service. The State Board of Review unanimously voted in late September to recommend the Route 66 motel to the National Register, so the national listing was deemed all … Continue reading Triangle Motel named to National Register

Lake Overholser Bridge will undergo repairs

The historic Lake Overholser Bridge that once carried Route 66 in Bethany, Okla., is about to undergo repairs after it was closed to traffic for the past year or so. According to KWTV in Oklahoma City: The plan is to keep the bridge preserved and close to the original state as possible. Eventually, it will … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge will undergo repairs

Galena bridge reopens to traffic

A few days ago, Melba Rigg at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., passed along good news -- the historic Front Street Bridge that was closed to traffic for repairs has reopened. The bridge, which actually is a 216-foot-long railroad viaduct, was built in the early 1920s, and incorporated as Route 66 when … Continue reading Galena bridge reopens to traffic

Outlook for Mojave Trails Monument dims

It now seems less likely the lame-duck Congress will vote on a lands bill that includes legislation to establish a Mojave Trails National Monument along the Route 66 corridor in Southern California, reported Kurt Repanshek today for National Parks Traveler. Repanshek explains: Conservation groups last month urged Congress to sweep these and dozens of other pending bills up … Continue reading Outlook for Mojave Trails Monument dims

The story behind the Meadow Gold sign

The Journal Record of Oklahoma City has published a story about the saving and restoration of the historic Meadow Gold sign on Route 66 in Tulsa. The article is behind the newspaper's online pay wall. But it posted a video about the Meadow Gold sign that includes an interview with Lee Anne Ziegler of the … Continue reading The story behind the Meadow Gold sign

Bird Creek Bridge soon will be closed

If you want to drive on the westbound Bird Creek Bridge on Oklahoma 66 (aka old Route 66) near Catoosa, Okla., you'd better do it within the next three weeks or so. The state is building an emergency crossover to the eastbound bridge that should be completed within 20 days, reported the Tulsa World, where … Continue reading Bird Creek Bridge soon will be closed

The elf and the whale

On Saturday afternoon, we stopped by the Blue Whale near Catoosa, Okla., to see Santa Claus make an appearance at that famous historic site on Route 66. After a Christmas lightning ceremony last week, Catoosa volunteers are still taking advantage of the Yuletide season to bring a little holiday cheer and raise money for the … Continue reading The elf and the whale

1930 journal of Route 66 trip will be donated to museum

Claudia Heller, a correspondent of Route 66 stories for several Southern California newspapers, including the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, tells about a journal from a 1930 road trip on a fledgling Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago. Mary Desbrow wrote in the journal as she, her husband, and two children made the trip when … Continue reading 1930 journal of Route 66 trip will be donated to museum