The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund which generally will offer grants of $5,000 to $10,000, with no match required. The fund aims to help business owners advance projects in Capital improvements; Planning; Marketing and outreach. Eligible projects will be located in the broader Route 66 … Continue reading National Trust offering the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
Category: Preservation
McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
The village board of McLean, Illinois, voted 4-2 last week to tear down its historic water tower, despite pleas from preservationists that included members of the Illinois Route 66 Association. The old water tower was built in 1935. It was decommissioned in 2017 after a new water tower was built. Those who voted for the … Continue reading McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring
The historic Rosati Winery and Museum along Route 66 near St. James, Missouri, will reopen by spring after being closed for almost a decade, said one of the principals. Jacob Stotler, who will run the museum, said in a phone interview that local caterer Deb Branson will open a restaurant at the facility, along with … Continue reading Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring
Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, is scheduled to reopen as a restaurant in June after it closed nearly a decade ago. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin noted early this summer that the sign for the Route 66 landmark had been spruced up. According to a recent story in the Yukon Progress-News, longtime … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Angel Delgadillo receives President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation
Ninety-six-year-old Angel Delgadillo traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation on Nov. 8 from the National Trust of Historic Preservation. According to a news release from the National Trust, Delgadillo's honor "recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the field of preservation." It's … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo receives President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation
Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
A Mexican restaurant called Lil Fiesta on Route 66 recently opened in the space that held Sonrise Donuts and its iconic sign for many years in Springfield, Illinois. Lil Fiesta on Route 66 opened Friday at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) in a space that also held another Mexican restaurant, for a few … Continue reading Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
May Cafe, known for its lumberjack Muffler Man, to close temporarily around Christmas
The May Cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant in Albuquerque for over 30 years, will close temporarily around Christmas, its owner told the Albuquerque Business Journal. The restaurant is famous among Route 66 enthusiasts for its Paul Bunyan fiberglass statue, known generically as Muffler Men. The statue was restored in 2019 after a windstorm tore off its … Continue reading May Cafe, known for its lumberjack Muffler Man, to close temporarily around Christmas
Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, may be expanded to include a replica of future President Abraham Lincoln's 1844 cottage and the nearby Elijah Iles House, named for one of the city's early settlers. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation last week to expand the boundaries of the site, which is run … Continue reading Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded
More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Now we know better where that proposed $6 million for the Blue Whale would go. The City Council of Catoosa, Oklahoma, last week unveiled a proposed master plan for the iconic Blue Whale site along Route 66 as envisioned by Hampton Creative of Tulsa. Among the additions would be a mini-golf course, a new visitors center, … Continue reading More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Fire-damaged Sk8 Liborius in St. Louis makes Missouri Preservation’s Places in Peril list
The fire-scorched Sk8 Liborius, aka St. Liborius Catholic Church, in St. Louis was announced as one of the annual Places in Peril by the Missouri Preservation nonprofit organization. Places in Peril are nominated by concerned individuals and decided upon by a committee of preservation advocates. Missouri Preservation advocates for, educates about and assists in the … Continue reading Fire-damaged Sk8 Liborius in St. Louis makes Missouri Preservation’s Places in Peril list