Kevin Klowden of the Milken Institute wrote in an opinion piece today on the Fox & Hounds Daily blog, proclaiming that one way to stimulate a flagging U.S. economy is to reinvest in Route 66 and thus boost tourism. That sounds good at first glance. But then Klowden veers in this direction -- he wants … Continue reading That’s re-certifiable
Category: Preservation
Found: the Texola monument
A few days ago, Corkey Mayberry of Park Hills, Mo., wondered what happened to a Texas-shaped monument that greeted Route 66 travelers in the border town of Texola, Okla. Mayberry and his wife had their picture taken at the monument in 1955. On a Route 66 trip a few weeks ago, Mayberry tried to find … Continue reading Found: the Texola monument
Joplin museum may be moved into depot
The Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Mo., may be moved into the historic Union Depot under a downtown development plan outlined by the city manager, according to the Joplin Globe. According to the newspaper, museum officials are set to discuss the proposal involving the nearly 100-year-old structure on Tuesday. They said they would remain publicly … Continue reading Joplin museum may be moved into depot
For sale, piece by piece
This video clip from the 2006 documentary "Route 66 by Bicycle: Pedaling the Mother Road" tells about a fascinating section of abandoned Route 66 near Arcadia, Okla., that's been put up for sale -- in 1-foot sections for $66 apiece. Better yet, the cyclists actually got to travel down the old road a bit. The … Continue reading For sale, piece by piece
Neon Chicago
Time Out Chicago has produced a list of the 24 best neon signs in Chicagoland, and one Route 66 restaurant made the list. Even better, the article includes 44 photos of noteworthy neon signs in the Windy City. The Mother Road business that made the list was Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook: The Chicken … Continue reading Neon Chicago
Watching the bridge
KOTV in Tulsa posted an interesting story about the so-called Twin Bridges on Route 66 near Catoosa, Okla., and how the Route 66 community worldwide is watching closely to what happens to one of the dilapidated spans. But first, there is a glaring error in the story. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation wants to replace … Continue reading Watching the bridge
Notes from the road
Roadies who've explored Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., may remember the 15-foot-tall fiberglass American Indian mascot, aka Muffler Man, who graced the front of David Howe Motors for years. The Howe Indian disappeared after a recent ownership change. But we're pleased to report the mascot has turned up at Indian Trading Post and Art near … Continue reading Notes from the road
New hotel in a historic site will open this fall
The Hotel Parq Central will open on the site of the historic Memorial Hospital on Route 66 near downtown Albuquerque, according to a news release at Hotel Interactive. Memorial Hospital was built on 806 Central Ave. in 1926 -- the same year that Route 66 was certified -- and is listed on the National Register … Continue reading New hotel in a historic site will open this fall
Progress seen at Triangle Motel
The pace is slow, but owner Alan McNeil is making progress on restoring the historic Triangle Motel along Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas -- especially now that since a new roof is being repaired, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Alan McNeil acquired the property four years ago after it was condemned by the city. Demolition proceedings … Continue reading Progress seen at Triangle Motel
Jerry McClanahan wins top honor at Will Rogers Awards
Longtime author and artist Jerry McClanahan won the prestigious Will Rogers Award during the Will Rogers Awards Evening on Saturday night during the Tri-State Route 66 International Festival at Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Okla. McClanahan, who has researched Route 66 since the early 1980s, has written several magazine articles about obscure Mother Road alignments … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan wins top honor at Will Rogers Awards