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
Category: Preservation
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
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