Big Brutus, an enormous electric coal shovel that’s become a side trip for Route 66 travelers in Kansas, will be part of a 60th birthday celebration on Friday and Saturday this week. Big Brutus is located at 6509 NW 60th St. in West Mineral, Kansas, about 30 miles from the Route 66 town of Riverton. The Joplin … Continue reading Big Brutus will mark its 60th birthday on Friday and Saturday
Category: Preservation
Boots Court motel in Carthage wins Missouri Preservation Honor Award
The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, was one of the recipients of the annual Missouri Preservation Honor Awards. The awards were announced Tuesday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. Here's what the nonprofit preservation organization said about the Route 66 landmark: Boots Court was built in 1939 at the corner of US … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage wins Missouri Preservation Honor Award
Campground planned for closed Minnetonka Trading Post site near Winslow
A campground is planned for the site of the long-closed Minnetonka Trading Post along Route 66 east of Winslow, Arizona. Blue Miller, known for her well-researched Never Quite Lost historical blog, passed along the good news about the site on the Historic Route 66 page on Facebook. She wrote: I am pleased to bring you … Continue reading Campground planned for closed Minnetonka Trading Post site near Winslow
Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield undergoes ownership change
The historic Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield, Illinois, landed a new owner earlier this month, and the operators pledge no big changes. Gene Hebenstreit closed on the purchase of the Route 66 theater on April 14, according to his daughter Chelsey Semplowski during a phone interview Friday. The purchase price was not disclosed. Hebenstreit owns … Continue reading Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield undergoes ownership change
Former Christian Science church in Tulsa to be converted into a concert venue
A historic church in downtown Tulsa that once was part of the Christian Science denomination will be converted into a modern concert venue and recording studio. GH2 Architects of Tulsa made the announcement this week on Facebook and included artist's renderings of the transformed space: The former First Church of Christ, Scientist at 924 S. … Continue reading Former Christian Science church in Tulsa to be converted into a concert venue
Ike’s Chili in Tulsa participates in fundraiser for Will Rogers Museum renovations
The owner of the more-than-century-old Ike's Chili in Tulsa is donating a portion of its revenues to help pay for renovations at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in nearby Claremore. Len Wade, owner of the restaurant at 1503 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), told News on 6 in Tulsa he's motivated to help the … Continue reading Ike’s Chili in Tulsa participates in fundraiser for Will Rogers Museum renovations
Route 66 Road Ahead encourages applications for Hometown Grant program
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership encourages towns with populations of 50,000 people or fewer to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 to fund projects to build, rebuild or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in their Route 66 communities. Towns could implement tech upgrades at their public libraries, refresh local … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead encourages applications for Hometown Grant program
Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa holds its grand opening
The historic Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, held its grand opening -- or, more accurately, grand reopening -- that included a classic-car show, a double feature and a marriage proposal. Here are photos from the big event: The theater will show "Back to the Future" Part 1 and 2 next weekend. Tickets are … Continue reading Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa holds its grand opening
Local couple acquires century-old Bourbon Hotel in Bourbon, Missouri
A local couple recently acquired the circa-1890 but long-vacant Bourbon Hotel, located only a block or two from old Route 66 in Bourbon, Missouri. Justin and Lacey Whittaker (a Christian author) set up a Facebook page about the hotel at 237 E. Pine St.: "We are going to do our best to bring y’all along … Continue reading Local couple acquires century-old Bourbon Hotel in Bourbon, Missouri
New Mexico Route 66 Association to give Heritage Award to Tucumcari Chamber
The New Mexico Route 66 Association announced this week it would give its annual Heritage Award to the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce. The honor is in recognition of the updated beautification of the chamber building by its executive director, Scott Crotzer, while keeping its original mid-century architecture charm from its groundbreaking in 1966. The … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association to give Heritage Award to Tucumcari Chamber