This is the man who's behind the rebuilding of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla. He is David Burke, owner of David Burke Historic Preservation, based in Perry, Okla. He's the one who is directing the painstakingly reconstruction of the Route 66 restaurant after a devastating fire last May. And he's reasonably certain the Rock … Continue reading Rebuilding the Rock Cafe
Category: Preservation
Paul Harvey, R.I.P.
Paul Harvey, a legend in radio for more than 50 years, died at age 90 Saturday at a hospital near Phoenix. Rather than recount Harvey's unique delivery and his many accomplishments in broadcasting, it should be known that the Tulsa native also left his own unique stamp on Route 66 at least twice. First, Harvey … Continue reading Paul Harvey, R.I.P.
Bid approved to move historic depot
A bid of $25,000 from Odie Construction of Kankakee, Ill., was approved by the City of Braidwood, Ill., to move its 1867 historic railroad depot to Main and Center streets this spring, reported the Joliet Herald News. The depot had been at Route 66 and Illinois 113, but a nearby grocery store wanted the property … Continue reading Bid approved to move historic depot
Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Megan Gambino in the March issue of Smithsonian magazine takes a somewhat dour look at the Mother Road. Here's an excerpt: Writing about the Joad family's journey from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to the promised land of California in The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck famously called Route 66 the "mother road." But today … Continue reading Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Cost-share grant season begins now
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is taking applications for its annual cost-share grants. Applications may be submitted to the program office until May 1. Applications are available here or by e-mailing IM_rt66@nps.gov . Most grants will cover up to 50 percent of a project's cost; many of them have to do with preserving a … Continue reading Cost-share grant season begins now
Adding ladies to the legend
The Tampa Tribune takes more of a feminist angle of Route 66 in leading off its story about 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan.: Think of Route 66 and several names come to mind: Bobby Troup, who wrote "Route 66"; John Steinbeck, who proclaimed it the Mother Road in "The Grapes of Wrath"; … Continue reading Adding ladies to the legend
Elvis ate here
Here's something interesting that just came from the latest newsletter by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The Heartland of America Heritage Museum in Weatherford, Okla., is about finished restoring the Porter House Diner, an original Valentine diner. The museum estimates the refurbishment will be done later this month or early March. The article by Marion … Continue reading Elvis ate here
Help save Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa
I was going to write about this, but I'm going to let Route 66 author and preservationist Jim Ross hold court for a bit. This is a partial text of an e-mail he sent today: The Bird Creek Bridge (formerly known as the Verdigris River Bridge) at Catoosa near the Blue Whale now has its … Continue reading Help save Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa
Lands bill vote delayed
The U.S. House of Representatives has delayed a vote on the Omnibus Lands Bill, which contains a measure to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. According to the Idaho Statesman, the vote was delayed because of a hangup by the National Rifle Association about gun restrictions on public lands. Supporters … Continue reading Lands bill vote delayed
New plans for Waynesville bridge proceed
The Daily Guide of Waynesville, Mo., reports that improvements to the 1923 Roubidoux Bridge, which carries historic Route 66, will proceed after fits and starts. Originally, vintage-looking lights were planned on the bridge. But preservationists were concerned that drilling holes into the structure to install them would compromise the bridge's integrity. There also were concerns … Continue reading New plans for Waynesville bridge proceed