The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Category: Preservation
Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that's rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region. For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route … Continue reading Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, erected a second Muffler Man -- a rare Texaco Big Friend -- during its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, the event included the Gemini Giant, reclining on a flatbed trailer, paying a visit to the museum before it's restored and reinstalled at a park in … Continue reading American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
The city government of Chandler, Oklahoma, recently announced it has implemented a neon-sign grant program for its Route 66 corridor. The program provides cost-share funds for businesses that want to make a custom neon sign or fix an existing one. Here are the requirements: Eligible businesses must be on Route 66 and within city limits. … Continue reading City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
10 more Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced 10 more grant recipients from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. Grants of $2,000 were given to: Sarah Ann Lesslie of Cocolita Chocolate Cafe, Flagstaff, Arizona: Purchase two new, single-door refrigerators for the shop, replacing a malfunctioning one. Amy Stephens of the Edmond History Museum, Edmond, Oklahoma: Install new … Continue reading 10 more Route 66 Extraordinary Women micro-grants announced
Gemini Giant to make appearance at American Giants Museum
The Gemini Giant fiberglass figure will make an appearance at the American GIants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, this weekend while en route for restoration and reinstallation at a park in Wilmington. According to a Facebook post, the Gemini Giant will be making a pit stop at the museum before going to the ReGiants restoration shop. … Continue reading Gemini Giant to make appearance at American Giants Museum
Clifton’s Republic in downtown Los Angeles to reopen next month
Clifton's Republic, once known as Clifton's Cafeteria, in downtown Los Angeles will reopen next month, along with a revamped cafeteria. LAist had the scoop: The more than 90-year-old dining and cocktail destination will be bringing back a revamped version of its iconic cafeteria this summer, along with the tropical-themed Pacific Seas tiki bar, and the … Continue reading Clifton’s Republic in downtown Los Angeles to reopen next month
More details emerge of Slug Bug Ranch’s imminent move to Amarillo
It was announced a few weeks ago that the Slug Bug Ranch, aka Bug Ranch, landmark in Conway, Texas, would be moved to the east side of Amarillo. The Amarillo Globe-News (via AOL) had more details about Slug Bug Ranch, which is set to open at its new site across the Starlight Ranch Event Center … Continue reading More details emerge of Slug Bug Ranch’s imminent move to Amarillo