A few days ago, the Wings of Freedom organization of Tulsa erected a repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign made for its sober-living facility at the former motel site. Wings of Freedom posted images of the new sign being installed, along with an image of the old sign. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin also … Continue reading Wings of Freedom in Tulsa erects repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign
Category: Preservation
Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
The Painted Desert Inn is celebrating its 100th year this month, though it started under another name and was in danger of being torn down during the mid-1970s. To celebrate the centennial, the surrounding Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will offer free activities for families on June 21-23 along with moonlight-guided tours of … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
The Astro Motel off Route 66 on the west side of Amarillo, Texas, will become a housing complex for homeless veterans. The Amarillo Globe-News reported that Homeless Heroes of Amarillo had secured the $565,000 needed to purchase the property at 5703 W. Amarillo Blvd. (aka Route 66). The current 20-room configuration will be turned into … Continue reading Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that's rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region. For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route … Continue reading Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, erected a second Muffler Man -- a rare Texaco Big Friend -- during its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, the event included the Gemini Giant, reclining on a flatbed trailer, paying a visit to the museum before it's restored and reinstalled at a park in … Continue reading American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
The city government of Chandler, Oklahoma, recently announced it has implemented a neon-sign grant program for its Route 66 corridor. The program provides cost-share funds for businesses that want to make a custom neon sign or fix an existing one. Here are the requirements: Eligible businesses must be on Route 66 and within city limits. … Continue reading City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
10 more Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced 10 more grant recipients from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. Grants of $2,000 were given to: Sarah Ann Lesslie of Cocolita Chocolate Cafe, Flagstaff, Arizona: Purchase two new, single-door refrigerators for the shop, replacing a malfunctioning one. Amy Stephens of the Edmond History Museum, Edmond, Oklahoma: Install new … Continue reading 10 more Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grants announced