Here's a video that shows the approach to Odell, Ill., on old Route 66. I didn't know the locals had installed some Burma Shave-style signs there. The second part of the video is the town's restored Odell Station, including a look at all the old automotive equipment inside.
Category: Preservation
Twin Arrows may be restored
It appears the logjam regarding the abandoned Twin Arrows complex off Route 66 in eastern Arizona finally has been cleared. A agreement has been struck between the state and the Hopi Indian tribe, which leases the land, to reinvigorate the property, reports Sharlene Fouser. She is a member of the Historic Route 66 Association of … Continue reading Twin Arrows may be restored
Fundraiser set for The Mill on Saturday
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier has a preview on a fundraiser Saturday for the continuing restoration of The Mill in Lincoln. There will be a classic car show, food and a dance. Railsplitter Antique Auto Club has teamed up again with the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County to present the second annual car show … Continue reading Fundraiser set for The Mill on Saturday
Neon signs — an endangered species
USA Today has an excellent article about endangered neon signs (many of them on old Route 66) and preservationists' efforts to rescue or restore them. An interesting passage here: Neon fell out of favor in the 1960s and 1970s when urban renewal was a priority and zoning regulations often banned new neon signs. When businesses … Continue reading Neon signs — an endangered species
Soulsby Station awarded cost-share grant
It was announced today that the historic Soulsby Station in Mount Olive, Ill., was awarded a $10,000 cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for its continued restoration. The station was built in 1926 by Henry Soulsby, the same year Route 66 was designated. The station was operated by the family until its … Continue reading Soulsby Station awarded cost-share grant
Rehab proposal presented for Devils Elbow Bridge
The Pulaski County (Mo.) Board received an engineering proposal to rehabilitate the 1923 Devil's Elbow Bridge on the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow, reported the Waynesville Daily Guide. It sounds like the county is feeling a sense of urgency for the project: “The rate deterioration is increasing, and this is the time to do … Continue reading Rehab proposal presented for Devils Elbow Bridge
Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection
Johnnie Meier, a longtime champion of Route 66 and other historic roads, has created a roadside tribute to old-time gas stations in Embudo, N.M., on Highway 68 north of Santa Fe. From the Albuquerque Journal (via the Las Cruces Sun-News): ... [T]hree 1940s-era gas pumps stand as sentinels at a filling station.On the porch is … Continue reading Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection
Castle Car Wash building placed on watch list
Landmarks Illinois today placed the John J. Murphy Filling Station, aka Castle Car Wash, on its 2008-2009 Chicagoland Watchlist of endangered historic properties. Twelve other properties in the Chicago area were listed. It is hoped the publicity will spur efforts to preserve the structures. The stone, castle-like station, on Route 66 at 3801 W. Odgen … Continue reading Castle Car Wash building placed on watch list
Braidwood considers historic preservation rules
More of this, please. This is a story from the Braidwood (Ill.) Journal about an upcoming city council meeting in nearby Braidwood: City attorney Paul Keller introduced a draft ordinance at the Sept. 9 regular meeting of the council that would establish a historic preservation system for the city. The system would enable the city … Continue reading Braidwood considers historic preservation rules
Good news for Devil’s Elbow Bridge repairs
Bill Farnham, a Pulaski County, Mo., commissioner, has been tirelessly trying to find ways to repair the Devil's Elbow Bridge in the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow, Mo. It now appears that Farnham has found another way for some of the costs to be covered. USDA Rural Development may be able to provide a … Continue reading Good news for Devil’s Elbow Bridge repairs