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
Category: Preservation
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
Replica of old-time general store opens at National Route 66 Museum in Elk City
An old-fashioned general store museum recently opened at the National Route 66 Museum complex in Elk City, Oklahoma. KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, as part of its ongoing "Is This a Great State or What" series, recently produced a segment about the faux store where nothing is for sale, but it can take visitors back a … Continue reading Replica of old-time general store opens at National Route 66 Museum in Elk City
Replica of Camp Joy archway being considered near tourist cabin at Lebanon park
A smaller replica of the archway that greeted visitors to the Camp Joy tourist camp in Lebanon, Missouri, is being considered in front of one of the original cabins at the city's Boswell Park. According to a story on the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society website, Craig Fishel told the society during a recent board … Continue reading Replica of Camp Joy archway being considered near tourist cabin at Lebanon park
Riverton, Kansas, has a lodging option with Old Riverton Post B&B
The Route 66 village of Riverton, Kansas (population 771), has a lodging option with the charming-looking Old Riverton Post B&B. The site sits at 7378 Southeast 70th St., less than a half-mile south of Route 66 in town. It's basically the first street south after you pass the landmark Old Riverton Store on Route 66. … Continue reading Riverton, Kansas, has a lodging option with Old Riverton Post B&B