KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., has an entertaining account of artist Lowell Davis and his Red Oak II complex off Route 66 near Carthage, Mo. Davis basically bought the town that he grew up in, Red Oak, Mo. He moved it to his new farm, outside of Carthage. Now, the old general store, blacksmith, and a … Continue reading The story of Red Oak II
Category: Preservation
Sunset Motel sign is relit
The beautiful porcelain sign for the Sunset Motel along route 66 near Villa Ridge, Mo., saw its neon relit for the first time in about 30 years on Saturday, reported the Route 66 Association of Missouri's blog. About half the money to restore the sign came from a cost-share grant by the Route 66 Corridor … Continue reading Sunset Motel sign is relit
Kansas visitors center lauded
The Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center in Baxter Springs, Kan., was recognized Friday by the National Park Service as "a place that matters," according to a report by the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. Kaisa Barthuli of the NPS' Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program noted that volunteers used 1,200 hours to restore the 1930 gas station … Continue reading Kansas visitors center lauded
St. Louis factory building named to National Register
The National Candy Company Factory building on the Gravois Avenue alignment of Route 66 in St. Louis was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Nov. 5, according to an e-mail from the National Park Service. The building, at 4230 Gravois Ave., was built in 1928 when the National Candy Company was the … Continue reading St. Louis factory building named to National Register
Route 66 town gets White House recognition
The village of Plainfield, Ill., received a recognition from first lady Michelle Obama that it was designated a Preserve America Community, according to the Joliet Herald News. According to the article: The Preserve America designation is based on a community's efforts to promote heritage tourism, to protect its heritage resources and to protect and recognize … Continue reading Route 66 town gets White House recognition
Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
The old bridge that carried U.S. 66 over the Meramec River at the former town of Times Beach, Mo., was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an e-mail Friday from the National Park Service. The bridge now serves to carry travelers into Route 66 State Park. According to the excellent … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
The Journal Record published an excellent story about the historic Warehouse Market building, an art deco gem, on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. Built in 1929, the building was designed by B. Gaylord Nofstger with lots of terra cotta. Its entryway borrowed heavily from the famous patterns used with Chicago’s Commercial Building, mixing … Continue reading Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
Vega Motel goes on auction block
The historic Vega Motel on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, is going to be the subject of a sealed-bid auction because of delinquent taxes. Here's the notice about the auction: Oldham County Appraisal District is taking sealed bids on the Vega Motel, Lots Numbered Six (6), Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10), … Continue reading Vega Motel goes on auction block
Vintage gas station is the real thing
This isn't on Route 66, but it's so cool and unique that it's noteworthy. The town of La Grande, Ore., contains a 1959 Texaco gas station that actually works for its intended purpose. There are plenty of well-preserved vintage gas stations around the country, but this is the only one that I'm aware of that … Continue reading Vintage gas station is the real thing
A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande