For the first time in more than six years, the McKinley Bridge in Venice, Ill., on Monday reopened to vehicular traffic. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Venice Mayor Avery Ware was the first to drive across about 3 p.m. after more than $50 million was spent to rehabilitate the bridge that once connected Route … Continue reading McKinley Bridge opens to traffic
Category: Preservation
Miami will receive grants for Route 66 projects
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla., will shell out about $150,000 for historical markers and other projects along the Mother Road. About $120,000 of that will come from the National Scenic Byways program, while the rest will be provided by the city and tourism bureau. The projects are: … Continue reading Miami will receive grants for Route 66 projects
McKinley Bridge reopens to traffic Monday
If you want to finally drive Route 66 over the Mississippi River to St. Louis, you'll finally have your chance after about 3 p.m. Monday. The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat reports that the McKinley Bridge, which was closed since 2001 for much-needed repairs, will open at mid-afternoon Monday at the latest. The 1910 bridge carried an … Continue reading McKinley Bridge reopens to traffic Monday
Cool Springs Camp seeks rezoning
Looks like the local media has picked up on Cool Springs Camp's attempts to rectify its zoning hurdles. The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner reports on the restored Route 66 property's attempts to rezone from agricultural residential to commercial business, so it will meet the county's General Plan. Here's an interesting wrinkle to the story: According … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp seeks rezoning
The rise of the Patels
This article from Express Hospitality describes how Asian-Americans -- many of them with the Patel surname -- have become dominant players in the United States lodging industry in just a few decades. They overcame language barriers, culture differences, hurdles from banks and insurers, and old-fashioned bigotry. Now, Asian-Americans control more than 50 percent of America's … Continue reading The rise of the Patels
Texaco memorabilia on display in Oklahoma
Jim Conard has donated his extensive collection of Texaco memorabilia to the Dobson Museum and Library of Miami, Okla., a block off Route 66. According to the Chevron Retirees Association's newsletter, Conard, who now lives near Atlanta, had quite a personal history with Route 66 in northwestern Oklahoma: The display is in that locale because … Continue reading Texaco memorabilia on display in Oklahoma
Old gas station will be restored
Here's a scoop from the December newsletter of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association: A couple have purchased the historic "half-building" on Route 66 in Commerce, Okla., will restore it to its original filling-station look, and turn it into a gift and snack shop. The building is on the southeast corner of Commerce and Main streets … Continue reading Old gas station will be restored
McKinley Bridge to open in mid-month
The McKinley Bridge, which held a reopening ceremony to much fanfare about two weeks ago, will open to traffic for real sometime in mid-December, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. About 10,000 motorists are expected to use the McKinley a day — the same number as used it before its closure in 2001. At that time, … Continue reading McKinley Bridge to open in mid-month
Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Dan O'Neil, the mayor of Edmond, Okla., wrote an opinion piece for the Edmond Sun. In it, O'Neil announced the city was selected by the Mayors' Institute of City Design to participate in a study. The group tries to resolve urban design problems. O'Neil lays out what he thinks needs to be addressed: What project … Continue reading Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Sunset at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge carried Route 66 over the Mississippi River from Madison, Ill., to St. Louis for decades. Those structures you see in the river are water intake towers. And that roaring sound in the video is water rushing over the natural chain of rocks near those towers. The Old Chain of … Continue reading Sunset at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge