The City of Tulsa announced it is offering matching grants of up to $40,000 to help restore the facades of historic buildings along its Route 66 alignments. The grant program was established with the help of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. The announcement was made at the historic Circle Cinema, which undoubtedly would be eligible … Continue reading City of Tulsa now offering facade matching grants for historic buildings along Route 66
Category: Preservation
Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M
The Downtown Joplin Alliance in Joplin, Missouri, this month will ask for redevelopment proposals for the city's long-closed Union Depot and assess them in February. A consultant estimated the cost of restoring the century-old site would be $6.7 million, though others have estimated it as high as $10 million. Among the ideas for the depot … Continue reading Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M
City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
The town council of Normal, Illinois, recently voted to spend $300,000 on work on three historic properties in the city, including the Sprague's Super Service Station along Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The station's previous owner, Terri Ryburn, told Route 66 News the work will include removing the 1960s one-bay garage and restoring the … Continue reading City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint
Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield
A new hotel called The Moxy will open in February in downtown Springfield, Missouri, in the Medical Arts Building that was built in 1930. According to the Springfield Daily Citizen, the hotel at 430 South Ave. is a partnership between O’Reilly Hospitality Management and Marriott International, Inc. The eight-story boutique hotel will offer 98 rooms, … Continue reading Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield
Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations
The 114-year-old Santa Fe Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently reopened to the public after going through two years and $1.6 million in renovations. The depot is just a couple of blocks west of the 1926-1937 alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. And because many Route 66 fans also are railroad buffs, many … Continue reading Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations
Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
The fabled Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, is holding a 100th birthday celebration party on Oct. 21. According to an excellent article in the Springfield News-Leader (including cool photos of the shrine's construction), the shrine's recorder says it's the only building along Route 66 in Springfield being used for … Continue reading Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
The Old Joliet Prison, aka Joliet Correctional Center or Illinois State Penitentiary, in Joliet, Illinois, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was effective Sept. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service that administers the program. Two years ago, the City of Joliet received a $35,000 grant from … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
Volunteers, NM Route 66 Association begin restoration of neon signs in Tucumcari
A group of volunteers and members of the New Mexico Route 66 Association began efforts Thursday and Friday to restore nail-damaged neon tubing on historic signs along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Among the signs worked on were TeePee Curios, Del's Restaurant, La Cita restaurant, Motel Safari and Loretta's Burrito Hut. Fast TV Network … Continue reading Volunteers, NM Route 66 Association begin restoration of neon signs in Tucumcari
Owner of Roy’s Motel and Cafe plans to reopen cabins and cafe sometime next year
Tucked into a long feature about Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, California, was this newsworthy nugget: The owner plans to reopen the cabins and cafe to overnight travelers sometime in 2024. SF Gate published a feature about the Route 66 landmark and owner Kyle Okura, who has taken over its operations after his father … Continue reading Owner of Roy’s Motel and Cafe plans to reopen cabins and cafe sometime next year