Guy Mace's Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, Missouri, is scheduled to close in 2027, according to several media outlets. KOLR-10 / KOZL-TV reported: Ozarks First spoke with an employee who says they’re not discussing the details as to why it’s closing, but simply said, “The owner is older and is retiring”. The employee stated the museum … Continue reading Reports: Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, Missouri, to close next year
Category: Preservation
Nonprofit initiative seeks to convert El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff into low-cost housing
A local nonprofit initiative aims to convert the historic-but-closed El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff, Arizona, into low-cost housing. El Pueblo Motel in 2019 Flagstaff resident Phil Scandura, a retired avionics engineer and architectural draftsman, talked during a phone interview about the site, also known as El Pueblo Motel, along Route 66. El Pueblo, at … Continue reading Nonprofit initiative seeks to convert El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff into low-cost housing
City of Albuquerque closes Lindy’s Diner over fears wall might collapse
Lindy's Diner in downtown Albuquerque was ordered closed Monday by the City of Albuquerque's code-enforcement division after an inspection found serious structural issues. According to KRQE-TV, inspectors discovered that the northeast exterior wall of the century-old building is at risk of collapsing and structural supports are failing, causing the roof and the second floor to … Continue reading City of Albuquerque closes Lindy’s Diner over fears wall might collapse
Gorilla installed on top of Route 66 Centennial Arch in Galena
Your eyes do not deceive you: That's an 8-foot-tall gorilla being installed on top of the Route 66 Centennial Arch in Galena, Kansas. The Gus the Gorilla is the mascot for Pittsburg State University in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas. Sign Designs in Joplin, Missouri, installed the figure, KSNF-TV reported. This entire project is the brainchild of … Continue reading Gorilla installed on top of Route 66 Centennial Arch in Galena
Vinita opens Route 66 Welcome Center in 1950s gull-wing gas station
The City of Vinita, Oklahoma, on Friday debuted a Route 66 Welcome Center inside a 1950s gull-wing style former Phillips 66 gas station along Route 66. Regular visitor hours for the center at 502 S. Wilson St. (aka Route 66) will be announced at a later time. According to KTUL-TV in nearby Tulsa: City and … Continue reading Vinita opens Route 66 Welcome Center in 1950s gull-wing gas station
Rock Creek Bridge in Sapulpa reopens to public with the debut of Route 66 Park
The historic Rock Creek Bridge in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public -- if not traffic -- with the debut of the Route 66 Park, with the bridge as the centerpiece. City officials, residents and visitors took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the park's completion. The century-old bridge, which leads to an … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge in Sapulpa reopens to public with the debut of Route 66 Park
Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard put up for sale; restaurant will remain open in the interim
The owners of Doc's Just Off 66 restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois, announced the restaurant is being put on the market. Co-owner Casey Claypool, who is also the executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, stated in a Facebook post that it was a "difficult" decision to put the restaurant for sale. We … Continue reading Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard put up for sale; restaurant will remain open in the interim
Neon sign for the West Winds Motel in Erick is restored
The neon sign for the long-closed but still-standing West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, has been restored and installed, but it may look a little different from how you remember it. During the restoration process, it was discovered that the business was originally named West Winds Court. So they went with that instead. The City … Continue reading Neon sign for the West Winds Motel in Erick is restored
Lighting ceremony set for May 1 for three historic Route 66 neon signs in Williams
Margaret Hangan, chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Williams, Arizona, announced a lighting ceremony scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time on May 1 for three historic neon signs along the city's Route 66 corridor. The neon signs that were restored belong to the Turquoise Teepee, Canyon Club, and the World Famous Sultana Bar. The … Continue reading Lighting ceremony set for May 1 for three historic Route 66 neon signs in Williams
Chrysler Plymouth neon tower sign in Bristow is relighted
The long-dark tower sign that advertised a now-defunct Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in Bristow, Oklahoma, is glowing again for the first time in about 70 years after a relighting ceremony on Saturday night. Naturally, a bunch of Route 66 enthusiasts posted photos and videos from the big event: The tower sign once stood a block or two … Continue reading Chrysler Plymouth neon tower sign in Bristow is relighted