The Pearl Brothers Hardware Store in downtown Joplin, Missouri, will close for good on Jan. 28 after 117 years. However, the new owner says he'll keep the Pearl Brothers name as part of the building and nominate it to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Joplin Globe. Harold Berger, who's been part … Continue reading Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month
Category: Preservation
New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man enthusiast and preservationist, recently completed a 30-minute documentary film about the late Glenn Good, a Texan who spent decades repairing or salvaging the fiberglass giants back in the days when they weren't popular. One of Good's projects still stands at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park on Amarillo's west side, right … Continue reading New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
Oklahoma Highway Patrol interested in Glancy Motel property in Clinton
In the latest twist for the Glancy Motel's possible future, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told the city's Economic Development Authority it would like the closed Clinton property donated so OHP can build a new troop headquarters there. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) had details about a letter of intent OHP sent to the authority: … Continue reading Oklahoma Highway Patrol interested in Glancy Motel property in Clinton
Take a look at the ongoing Pony Bridge project near Bridgeport
Recent drone footage has surfaced of the ongoing efforts to tear down and reconstruct the iconic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, into a safer and more modern span. The clip, uploaded on Dec. 18 by West OK Overland, shows construction crews have dismantled about half of the Route 66 bridge over the South Canadian River … Continue reading Take a look at the ongoing Pony Bridge project near Bridgeport
Local investors, Chickasaw Nation to buy historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City
Two local investors and the Chickasaw Nation tribe are joining forces to buy the historic Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. Steve Lackmeyer of The Oklahoman newspaper reported Andy Burnett and Mark Beffort of Oklahoma City, who own eight other hotels across the country, will pay $32.5 million for the city's oldest hotel. Other investors … Continue reading Local investors, Chickasaw Nation to buy historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City
Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa
The Tulsa Downtown Partnership recently showed conceptual plans for the Center of the Universe, an odd echo-bounceback site in downtown that's near an old alignment of Route 66. According to the Tulsa World: The proposed improvements include a shade structure over the Center of the Universe, shaded seating near the north and south entrances to … Continue reading Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa
Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence
Two Albuquerque businesses with strong Route 66 roots recently received Awards of Excellence from the New Mexico chapter of the NAIOP. In the hospitality division, M'Tucci's Bar Roma at 3222 Centra Ave. (aka Route 66) won an award. The reason for the honor: This 14,340-square-foot location consists of two buildings: the main building is the … Continue reading Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence
Chairman of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership endorses Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
The chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership has endorsed a bill recently introduced by three U.S. senators to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, all Republicans, last week introduced bill number S.5170 that would amend the National … Continue reading Chairman of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership endorses Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Three U.S. senators announced last week they proposed legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, though its prospects for passage in the lame-duck session of Congress are uncertain. U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, all Republicans, stated in a news release they introduced … Continue reading U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
The neon sign for the defunct Mountain Lodge motel just east of Albuquerque is being added to the new Route 66 Visitor Center on the city's west side. According to KRQE-TV, motel owner Owen St. Germain donated the sign to the visitor center. It is being refurbished by the Build it Right construction company of … Continue reading Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque