A couple of days ago, the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Office and Preservation released their list of what they considered to be the most endangered historic places in 2007. The list included "motels on Route 66 from Miami to Sayre," which is darned near the entire length of 66 in the state. I asked for a … Continue reading Oklahoma’s “endangered” Route 66 motels
Category: Preservation
Country Store may close
(Sign hanging above the cash register at the Country Store) When the Country Store opened on 11th Street in Tulsa nearly 40 years ago, it was, in fact, in the country. Four decades of urban sprawl later, the Country Store's location on historic Route 66 is considered part of midtown Tulsa. Farmers are an endangered … Continue reading Country Store may close
Historic hotel won’t be taken over by city after all
A few weeks ago, we passed along a report by the Kankakee (Ill.) Daily Journal that said the city of Wilmington was going to take over the historic Eagle Hotel on Route 66 on Jan. 15 because its owner, William Scales, didn't have it operating as a business by a city-imposed five-year deadline. On Monday, … Continue reading Historic hotel won’t be taken over by city after all
Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
According to an e-mail from the director of the National Park Service, Glenrio's historic district -- which comprises most of the Route 66 community straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico -- was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 17. Glenrio's location in two states (and two counties) at … Continue reading Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
Abe Lincoln wagon moved to Lincoln
I think it's time to describe Geoff Ladd as A Guy Who Gets Things Done. First, the Logan County tourism director fended off a very likely demolition of The Mill along Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., eventually will rehab it and convert it into a tourism center. Now, according to today's Lincoln Courier, Ladd has … Continue reading Abe Lincoln wagon moved to Lincoln
Roadside America updates
Periodically, I get e-mails from the good folks at Roadside America, informing me about updates to the site. The latest edition has few new reader tips that should be of interest to Route 66 fans: The big cross just off Route 66 in Edmond, Okla. It's big, but not nearly as huge as the one … Continue reading Roadside America updates
Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
It's always a treat to visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, located on old Route 66 in Staunton, Ill. Not only is proprieter Rich Henry an affable host, but it's fun to pet the ever-mellow Montana, one of his 37 pet rabbits, and see the new stuff Henry has acquired or planned. Henry's has a well-stocked … Continue reading Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has a story about the ongoing restoration and re-erection of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign on 11th Street (Route 66) in Tulsa. Much of the information has already been reported, but the article fleshes out new material about the sign's restorer, Claude Neon Federal Signs, and its work: The sign … Continue reading Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Bent Door has a new Web site
Ramona Kiewert, the new co-owner with her husband Roy of the historic Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, e-mailed me to inform everyone that they moved the Bent Door's Web site to a new URL on WordPress.com, which is blog-hosting site and home to Route 66 News. The new URL is here. So please update your … Continue reading Bent Door has a new Web site
Historic hotel reverts to city ownership
The Eagle Hotel in Wilmington, Ill., described as the oldest hotel on all of Historic Route 66, has reverted to city ownership after its holder wasn't able to reopen it by a Jan. 15 deadline, according to the Daily Journal. The hotel, built in 1836, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and … Continue reading Historic hotel reverts to city ownership