The Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, reopened to traffic Friday after a celebration on the rehabbed span. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, said ODOT counted more than 350 vehicles at one point of the ceremony. He also shot the above image, which shows how crowded it was. Before … Continue reading Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport reopens to traffic
Category: Preservation
Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants had the rare privilege of seeing the Gemini Giant from the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant lying in repose, with its helmet off. The Joliet Patch had details about the fiberglass giant being shown inside the City of Wilmington's public works building during last weekend's 17th annual … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor Festival participants get a glimpse of soon-to-be-relocated Gemini Giant
Road Runner’s Retreat sign near Chambless is repainted
The sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, recently was repainted, and it hasn't looked this good in decades. Next up will be the restoration of the sign's neon tubing. The Facebook account of the site provided before-and-after images: Road Runner's Retreat in late 2023 received a $17,000 cost-share grant from … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat sign near Chambless is repainted
Red Cedar Inn Museum & Visitors Center wins Preserve Missouri Award
The Red Cedar Inn Museum & Visitors Center along Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri, has received a 2024 Preserve Missouri Award from the Missouri Preservation organization. The awards were announced in an email from the organization on Wednesday. The Preserve Missouri awards has recognized outstanding efforts and projects around the state since 2002. Here's what … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum & Visitors Center wins Preserve Missouri Award
American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
The American Giants Museum's grand opening on May 24-26 will include the installation of two Muffler Men on the site in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. According to a news release, featured activities on May 24 will include the arrival and installation of a 24-foot-tall Texaco Big Friend giant, one of only six surviving from the original … Continue reading American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station
The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, recently announced it had landed a $1.2 million grant from the state's Route 66 Commission to restore a historic gas station. "This Route 66 project aims to enhance the appeal of Route 66 for both locals and visitors and will prepare Downtown El Reno for the Route 66 Centennial … Continue reading City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station
Chain of Rocks Bridge Park in St. Louis opens to the public
The Chain of Rocks Bridge Park in north St. Louis opened to the public after about a year of construction for much-needed upgrades. The ribbon-cutting event included live music, food trucks, exercise classes, and a pet-adoption event. Earlier in the day, visitors participated in a bike ride starting from nearby Chouteau Island, reported Newsbreak.com. The … Continue reading Chain of Rocks Bridge Park in St. Louis opens to the public
Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
The Oklahoma Historical Society awarded 37 entities a total of $520,000 in grants this year, including several with Route 66 ties. We mentioned yesterday the Totum Pole Park near Foyil received a $20,000 grant to help restore its Fiddle House. Here are the rest of them that are relevant to Route 66: Friends of the … Continue reading Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted
The Park Plaza Courts motel neon sign along Route 66 in St. Louis was relighted for the first time in 50 years during a ceremony Saturday night. Here is a video from the scene by Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. More images from Route 66 enthusiast and author Joe Sonderman. … Continue reading Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted