The Joplin (Mo.) Globe ran into a group from the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa that was touring Oklahoma's eastern end of Route 66, plus the Mother Road in Kansas. Among the sights taken in were the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla.; Afton Station in Afton, Okla.; a stretch of the old 9-foot-wide highway, the … Continue reading Preservation Conference tour heads into Kansas
Category: Preservation
Preservationist wins Oprah leadership contest
Route 66 preservationist Anne Dodge, of Cambridge, Mass., was one of 80 women who won a contest to be named to the O White House Leadership Project by O, The Oprah Magazine. Dodge was selected for her work in developing "a program encouraging historic preservation and economic development along Route 66 by connecting motel owners … Continue reading Preservationist wins Oprah leadership contest
Notes from the Preservation Conference
I attended a couple of Route 66-related seminars and took a stroll in the exhibition hall on Wednesday during the National Preservation Conference at the Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa. Here are a few news items that should be of interest to roadies: -- I ran into Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurants … Continue reading Notes from the Preservation Conference
The original Golden Arches
Trevor Summons of the San Bernardino County Sun has an interesting article about the original McDonald's restaurant at 14th and E streets in San Bernardino, Calif. Situated on Route 66 - it is in fact the business loop of the famous road - McDonald's was originally brought there on a flatbed from Arcadia. The two … Continue reading The original Golden Arches
City may buy Bel-Aire Motel as tourism stop
The city of Springfield, Ill., is in discussions with the state for funding to buy the Bel-Aire Motel so it can be converted into a Route 66 Discovery Center, reports the Journal-Register. The motel is still operating, but it's now a haven of criminal activity. But both Mayor Tim Davlin and supporters of a statewide, … Continue reading City may buy Bel-Aire Motel as tourism stop
Open house at the Rose Bowl
Saturday afternoon was an open house at the Rose Bowl Events Center, a distinctive Route 66 bowling alley in Tulsa that was closed for a few years but has reopened as a music venue. At least the Rose Bowl is back to its pink color. Because of a noncompete clause with the previous owners, the … Continue reading Open house at the Rose Bowl
Route 66 Corridor Program grant recipients announced
Here's the list of recipients of 2008 cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program: The Mill Restaurant rehabilitation, Lincoln, Ill., $10,000 from the National Park Service, $28,000 match Donut Drive-In, St. Louis, neon sign restoration, $9,875 NPS, $10,925 match Devil's Elbow Bridge, Devil's Elbow, Mo., emergency stabilization, $8,000 NPS, $22,000 match Front Street … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Program grant recipients announced
Rose Bowl resurrection
The Rose Bowl at 7419 E. 11th St., Tulsa, has been operating for several weeks now as an events center, but Saturday marks the grand opening of the rechristened venue on old Route 66. From the news release: Bring your friends, family, show cars and show bikes, to enjoy free refreshments and take a tour … Continue reading Rose Bowl resurrection
“Ole Route 66”
I'm glad this popped up on YouTube. Country artist Jess McEntire wants to help preserve old Route 66 by donating his royalties and publishing rights of his music and others' the cause. You can read more about his efforts through the Project Route 66 site. The legendary Loretta Lynn heard about it and donated a … Continue reading “Ole Route 66”
Art Deco preview
If y'all are attending the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa next week, here's a video that gives you a taste of the Art Deco architecture that's all over the city. The video contains a number of Route 66 sites, and briefly includes "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis. The video was produced by … Continue reading Art Deco preview