The U.S. Marine Corps is considering a possible expansion of its Air Ground Combat Center in Southern California that may restrict or cut off access to Route 66 and other spots in that area from about Cadiz Summit to just west of Amboy. According to Kell Brigan, who is fighting the Marines' possible land acquisition: … Continue reading Marine base expansion may threaten access to Route 66
Category: Preservation
Senate advances bill that would renew Route 66 program
As expected, the U.S. Senate advanced the Omnibus Lands Bill by a 66-12 margin during a rare Sunday session. The bill, reintroduced a few days ago by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), contains a section to extend the well-regarded Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. Disappointingly, Oklahoma Sens. Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn … Continue reading Senate advances bill that would renew Route 66 program
Vote on Route 66 Corridor Program may be Sunday
For those pining for the reauthorization of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, events this week in Congress are providing hope. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Omnibus Public Lands Bill on Wednesday. This is the legislative package that contains the authorization to extend the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. The … Continue reading Vote on Route 66 Corridor Program may be Sunday
Rock Cafe update
Rock Cafe owner Dawn Welch posted an update to her blog concerning the restoration of the Stroud, Okla., restaurant that was heavily damaged by fire last year. In short, she now has a contractor that's going full speed ahead in getting the cafe rebuilt to her standards. You can read about it here.
Blue Dome to house Tulsa trolley operations
T-Town Trolley, a transportation system that takes passengers around Tulsa's entertainment districts, is moving its operations into the historic Blue Dome gas station on Route 66 in downtown Tulsa, reports the Journal Record. [Blake] Lund is meeting with interior designers to help spruce up the inside, but the building will retain its original structure. “We … Continue reading Blue Dome to house Tulsa trolley operations
Interview with a Harvey Girl
The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has a interview with 92-year-old Mary T. Montoya, who became a Harvey Girl at one of Gallup's Harvey Houses beginning in the 1930s. Here's the interesting part: The nationwide decline of rail travel led to the decline of the Harvey Houses, including Gallup’s. According to his recently published book “Fred Harvey … Continue reading Interview with a Harvey Girl
Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire
A month ago, a fire that started in the repair-shop area of Bolin Ford in Bristow, Okla., was believed to have destroyed the historic Bristow Motor Co. building that was part of the complex. For reasons that are too boring to recount here, I wasn't able to check the scene until Sunday. What I saw … Continue reading Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire
Atlanta’s Palms Grill should reopen by spring
The long-closed Palms Grill in downtown Atlanta, Ill., has been meticulously renovated its Route 66 glory days and should reopen by spring, reports the Peoria Journal-Star. The storefront restaurant has been restored according to a depiction in a photograph taken during the era when Johnson worked there as part of a new museum project of … Continue reading Atlanta’s Palms Grill should reopen by spring
Getting there
Construction on the new home of the historic Meadow Gold sign on Route 66 in Tulsa is progressing nicely. According to a release from the city, the support pavilion and metal truss system are scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Re-erection of the Meadow Gold sign's restored neon letters will begin … Continue reading Getting there
Sen. Coburn’s response
It took a few weeks, but Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) finally responded to letters from roadies who implored him to reconsider his staunch opposition to a lands bill that contains legislation to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. I received an e-mailed response a few days ago from Coburn, but … Continue reading Sen. Coburn’s response