Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff holds its grand reopening

The historic Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, held its grand reopening last week after months of renovation work on the site. The Arizona Republic was there for the big event: Originally built in 1962, the renovated hotel on Route 66 attempts to transport guests back to the era's heyday with retro-inspired futuristic designs and … Continue reading Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff holds its grand reopening

‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum

The long-running "CBS Sunday Morning" program recently produced a 4-minute segment about the history of Muffler Men, including those on Route 66, and Joel Baker, who has dedicated years to documenting and preserving them. It also talks about the American Giants Museum that recently opened along old Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/dj_s9C8LBDY?si=60WHPFUd8CC9Ca2A The American … Continue reading ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum

Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center holds its grand opening

The long-awaited Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center in Pacific, Missouri, held a grand opening ceremony Saturday. Hours in the former Route 66 restaurant will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. It will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Here are images from … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center holds its grand opening

Further weight restrictions may curb access to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois

A bridge leading to the iconic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge from Illinois may see additional weight restrictions, keeping only the smallest vehicles allowable to the site. According to St. Louis Public Radio, the Old Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge that runs to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge has seen its weight limits plummet … Continue reading Further weight restrictions may curb access to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois

La Posada museum in Winslow soon will display the world’s largest Navajo rug

A museum at the landmark La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, will hold a grand opening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 2 to mark the long-planned display of the world’s largest single-loom Navajo rug. The Hubbell-Joe Rug, originally created for the Hubbell Trading Post in Winslow in 1932 by Navajo weaver Julia … Continue reading La Posada museum in Winslow soon will display the world’s largest Navajo rug

Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26

The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center, housed in a former Route 66 restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, will throw a long-awaited grand opening celebration on Aug. 26. The museum, visitors center and children's museum at 1047 E. Osage St. (aka Route 66) will hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. that day. Hours that … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26

Route 66 town of Brooklyn, Illinois, added to Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Places list

The oft-overlooked but historically rich town of Brooklyn, Illinois, recently was added to Landmarks Illinois' annual Most Endangered Places list. For the uninitiated, Brooklyn (aka Lovejoy) sits on Illinois Highway 3 between East St. Louis and Madison in the metro-east area of St. Louis. Illinois 3 was an alignment of Route 66 from 1929 to … Continue reading Route 66 town of Brooklyn, Illinois, added to Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Places list

‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita

What is Massachusetts' loss apparently is Oklahoma Route 66's gain. The Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, recently acquired the so-called "Big Indian" that stood outside the Native and Himalayan Views, formerly the Big Indian Shop, for nearly 50 years in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. According to the Greenfield Recorder, the 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue was the subject … Continue reading ‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita

“CBS Saturday Morning” airs a feature about Threatt Filling Station preservation

"CBS Saturday Morning" yesterday aired a 4 1/2-minute segment about recent preservation efforts for the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. The camera crew caught up with volunteers from the Oklahoma Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Guthrie Job Corps and The Hope Crew when they were shoring up the century-old property in … Continue reading “CBS Saturday Morning” airs a feature about Threatt Filling Station preservation

Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs

The City of Albuquerque this week announced it is providing a total of $432,000 in grants to restore or renovate historic signs along its Central Avenue (aka Route 66). The city's Department of Arts and Culture and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency have developed a Sign Improvement Program for owners of historic signs who can restore … Continue reading Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs