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
Category: Preservation
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
St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler put up for sale by its longtime owner
The 120-year-old St. Cloud Hotel building along Route 66 in Chandler, Oklahoma, has been placed on the market by its longtime owner. John Givens, who has owned the property since the 1980s, said in a telephone interview he put it up for sale a few weeks ago because he needs to devote more time to … Continue reading St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler put up for sale by its longtime owner
Tulsa Route 66 organization aims to restore historic buildings in the Red Fork District
The Tulsa Route 66 Main Street organization wants to restore historic buildings in the Red Fork District in southwest Tulsa before Route 66's centennial in 2026. The Red Fork neighborhood runs south of the Arkansas River and ends at 33rd West Avenue, with Route 66 right in the middle. News on 6 in Tulsa reports: … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 organization aims to restore historic buildings in the Red Fork District
Organization seeks to reopen Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa as sober-living facility by Christmas
The Wings of Freedom organization, which acquired the Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa in 2020, hopes it will be partially open as a sober-living facility by Christmas. Pastor Dixie Pebworth, director of Wings of Freedom, told KJRH-TV in Tulsa he hopes to have 29 rooms on the west side of the Route 66 motel transformed … Continue reading Organization seeks to reopen Saratoga Motor Hotel in Tulsa as sober-living facility by Christmas
Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, recently acquired space that housed the world's first Dairy Queen restaurant. That first DQ, which opened in 1940, was in a brick, two-story building at 501 N. Chicago St., though the building itself dates to the 1890s. Greg Peerbolte, the museum's executive director, talked to the Joliet … Continue reading Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center
The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, recently opened to the public its Boots Court Motel Visitors Center, housed in a former Sinclair gas station adjacent to the Route 66 property. The motel opened the facility during Maple Leaf Festival weekend, which is Carthage's biggest event. More about it: A grand opening for the … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center
Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored
The restoration of the historic neon sign for Webb City Florist in Webb City, Missouri, was unveiled during a ceremony last week hosted by the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Association President Rich Dinkela hosted a brief Facebook Live event from the night: Here are more images from the association: And here's an image from … Continue reading Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored
Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Want an ownership piece of Mickey Mantle's childhood home just off old Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma? A collectibles investment firm is offering it for $7 a share. Mantle wore No. 7 when he played his fabled major-league baseball career with the New York Yankees. The Rally firm set up a website -- at themantlehouse.com … Continue reading Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Grand Canyon officials: Knock it off with the love locks
A recent social media post by Grand Canyon National Park about so-called "love locks" got a lot of attention in recent days. Love locks are padlocks often hung from a metal fence, usually bearing a couple’s name or initials, with the key then thrown into a nearby lake or river -- symbolizing unbroken love. The … Continue reading Grand Canyon officials: Knock it off with the love locks