Though the start of Route 66's centennial is still more than three years away, the State Historical Society of Missouri has put out an appeal to the public for items to celebrate that event. The society stated in a news release it launched the initiative "focused on preserving the road’s history within the state." Examples … Continue reading State Historical Society of Missouri seeks memorabilia for Route 66’s centennial
Category: Preservation
Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
A bunch of Route 66 aficionados have posted photographs from Saturday's 50th-anniversary party of the landmark Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. The event included appearances by "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis, Dean "Crazy Legs" Walker, Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones and Blue Whale park director Liz Huckleby, to name a few. KTUL-TV in … Continue reading Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 to consider a landmark status application for the endangered, century-old Standard gas station in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. Esotouric initially flagged several weeks ago the demolition permit application for the 1919 metal station at 1659 W. Colorado Blvd. … Continue reading LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
The owners of the landmark Skirvin HIlton hotel in downtown Oklahoma City are preparing to put it up for sale, with half of the proceeds likely going back to the city. Marcus Hotels and Resorts joined forces with the city to renovate and reopen the closed, century-old hotel about 15 years ago. Steve Lackmeyer at … Continue reading Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and its Beautification Committee are in the early stages of making historic McLain Rogers Park "more accessible and user friendly," according to a newspaper's report. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) talked to city manager Robert Johnston about the possible changes: “There is an obvious lack of handicap and ADA … Continue reading Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day. Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book "Route … Continue reading Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari reopens for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years
The historic Odeon Theatre in downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, recently opened its doors for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic and needed repairs. The 1935 theater celebrated its reopening last Thursday with a free screening of the 2016 Oscar-nominated crime drama "Hell or High Water," which partially was filed … Continue reading Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari reopens for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years
Boots Court in Carthage opens five of 13 rooms; more opening in October
The Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, has reopened five of 13 rooms, and more likely will open by the city's Maple Leaf Festival in mid-October. A recent report in the Joplin Globe provided the latest update by the Carthage-based Boots Court Foundation to restore the Route 66 landmark to its old glory: Kim Bausinger, … Continue reading Boots Court in Carthage opens five of 13 rooms; more opening in October
Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot
The Downtown Joplin Alliance recently announced it given was $5,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to pay for an engineer to assess the long-abandoned Union Depot building. According to the Joplin Globe: That engineer’s report will enable the alliance to formulate more targeted marketing aimed at preserving and developing the 110-year-old train station.The … Continue reading Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot
Arizona Route 66 Association offering grants of up to $10,000
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced this week it has opened its biannual cost-share grant season in which applicants could earn up to $10,000. The association is accepting grant applications until Sept. 30. Businesses, chambers of commerce, and community organizations are encouraged to apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds. Projects must … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association offering grants of up to $10,000