The Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, is due for $15.1 million in improvements under the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield: The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, … Continue reading About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield
Category: Preservation
Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1
The landmark Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville, Missouri, will mark its 100th year with a celebration on April 1 at nearby Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. The party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, a Saturday. The park is easily accessed via Spring Road on the east side of Roubidoux Creek. According to the … Continue reading Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1
Albert Okura, a restaurateur who owned the town of Amboy, dies
Albert Okura, longtime owner and founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain who purchased the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, in 2005, died last week. Okura also owned the first original McDonald's -- also a popular Route 66 stop in San Bernardino, California. He purchased that location in 1998, stocked it with McDonald's memorabilia … Continue reading Albert Okura, a restaurateur who owned the town of Amboy, dies
Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site
A closed Firestone service station in downtown Albuquerque that dated to the early 1930s will become the future site of an Ex Novo Brewing Co. taproom this fall. Albuquerque-based Geltmore LLC, Ex Novo and a group of local investors on Thursday completed the purchase of the Firestone on Seventh Street and Central Avenue (aka Route … Continue reading Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site
Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring
The Route 66 Association of Missouri could take over ownership of the historic Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen by May or June. Gary Sosniecki wrote a report about the association's winter meeting at Route 66 State Park in Eureka for the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Association President Rich Dinkela and Vice President … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring
Afton Station is for sale for the second time in less than four years
Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, has been put on the market for a second time since 2019, when it was auctioned after the owners' deaths. The former D-X gas station on Route 66 in the village's downtown is being listed by Solid Rock Realtors for $200,000. Here's a description of the property: OWN A PIECE … Continue reading Afton Station is for sale for the second time in less than four years
City of Catoosa plans improvements to the grounds of the Blue Whale
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, wants to make a series of improvements to the grounds of the iconic Blue Whale site. According to News on 6 in nearby Tulsa, the city's plans include "building trails behind the whale, restrooms, a new gift shop and possibly creating a small R-V park." The city also wants to … Continue reading City of Catoosa plans improvements to the grounds of the Blue Whale
Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins
A section of 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway, aka Ribbon Road, of Route 66 near Miami, Oklahoma, is undergoing a required Section 106 review before Ottawa County begins work to restore the century-old roadway. Section 106 is a review period required by the National Historic Preservation Act anytime work is imminent on or near historic properties. The … Continue reading Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins
Route 66 organization urging historic churches to apply for Sacred Places grants
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership last week put out a news release, recommending historic churches along the Mother Road apply for grants from the National Fund for Sacred Places. The grant helps with training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support and capital grants of up to $250,000 to congregations of all faiths for rehabilitation … Continue reading Route 66 organization urging historic churches to apply for Sacred Places grants
A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma. The segment is part of KFOR-TV's ongoing "Is This a Great State or What?!" series. https://youtu.be/XAASN-4ZsPI Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to … Continue reading A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia