In recent weeks, contractors for the new owner of Pearl Bros. Hardware building in downtown Joplin, Missouri, removed the green metal facade that had covered the original front of the building for about 60 years. A reporter for KOAM-TV showed before-and-after images of the work being done by Neal Group Construction: https://youtu.be/WcXfSKLMq68 The story also … Continue reading Removal of newer facade reveals original front of Pearl Brothers Hardware building in Joplin
Category: Preservation
Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago
It's unthinkable now, but the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, once was very much in danger of being torn down a half-century ago. The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published an article about the history of the pier, including a successful grass-roots effort in 1973 to preserve it after the city council … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago
Missouri budget plan includes $6 million to rebuild the bridge at Route 66 State Park
Among proposed spending bills being considered by the Missouri Legislature is a $6 million plan to build a pedestrian bridge at an existing historic span at Route 66 State Park near Eureka. That item was flagged deep in a story by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that focused on the Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters in … Continue reading Missouri budget plan includes $6 million to rebuild the bridge at Route 66 State Park
American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express are offering another opportunity for restaurants to receive up to $40,000 from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership stated in a news release it is encouraging the many small, historic restaurants along Route 66 to apply for the grant, … Continue reading National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants
Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis
The National Science Foundation recently awarded a five-year, $312,000 grant to a group of anthropologists so it can create a comprehensive map of the Cahokia Mounds site near Collinsville, Illinois. The project using magnetometry equipment would be the largest archaeo-geophysical project to date in all the Americas, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. For this project they … Continue reading Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis
Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot
Community members recently brought up some ideas for the possible redevelopment of Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, including bringing back train rides. The Downtown Joplin Alliance asked about 80 residents to provide possible uses for the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. A group of students and faculty from Kansas State University and architectural students … Continue reading Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot
Old Standard station in Eagle Rock is on its way to being historic-cultural monument
A tiny Standard gas station that's more than 100 years old likely will be designated a historic-cultural monument after the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission approved its nomination from the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society. The City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee is expected to pass the measure at a later date. The station … Continue reading Old Standard station in Eagle Rock is on its way to being historic-cultural monument
All 13 rooms at Boots Court motel in Carthage now available for overnight stays
The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, announced all 13 of its rooms now are available for overnight travelers. The owners in a Facebook post proclaimed it was the first time "in decades" all the rooms can be booked. That includes the fabled Clark Gable Room; No. 6 was used by the movie star … Continue reading All 13 rooms at Boots Court motel in Carthage now available for overnight stays
Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove imposes sudden layoffs
The Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove, Illinois, imposed sudden layoffs and shut down its visitors center last week, shocking volunteers and former staff members. Sugar Grove Nature Center consists of over 1,000 acres of preserved forest, the nature center just off Route 66. It regularly hosted field trips and programs about Illinois history … Continue reading Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove imposes sudden layoffs