The historic Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, is offering a unique opportunity to visit the Route 66 landmark before it opens to the public, plus learning preservation methods. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew are sponsoring the event at the station at 21940 Oklahoma 66 (map … Continue reading Unique volunteer and visitation opportunity is being offered at Threatt Filling Station
Category: Preservation
Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
Bristow Historical Society increases efforts to restore Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower
The Bristow, Oklahoma, Historical Society is busting a hump to raise funds to restore a 100-foot-tall Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower in time for Route 66's centennial in 2026, and it is enlisting the help of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association to do it. According to a recent story by the association: There are multiple efforts underway … Continue reading Bristow Historical Society increases efforts to restore Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower
Opening of the renovated Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff delayed to early July
The reopening of a revitalized Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, has been postponed to early July, according to a reporter who contacted us with the news. Peter Corbett, a writer for Flagstaff Business News and other publications, said the motel's spokeswoman told him about the postponement. "I did a hard-hat tour last week and … Continue reading Opening of the renovated Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff delayed to early July
Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database grows in size
Nearly 18 months ago, Phil Gordon contacted me about his Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database and was asking for more submissions to it. At the time, the website contained 600 images of matchbooks from various businesses, past and present, along the Mother Road. Gordon recently informed me the database has swelled to more than 2,500 … Continue reading Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database grows in size
Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football
The nearly 90-year-old Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City remains a big focal point for high school football in that region. The red-stone facade of Taft Stadium, aka Energy FC Field, sits at 2501 N. May Ave. (aka Route 66) and was a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression era. It plays host to … Continue reading Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football
Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs makes list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
The nearly century-old Osterman Gas Station along Route 66 in Peach Springs, Arizona, on Tuesday made the annual list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The list spotlights significant sites of American history "that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage." The National Trust for 36 years has … Continue reading Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs makes list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Big Brutus will mark its 60th birthday on Friday and Saturday
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
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