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
Category: Preservation
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
Route 66 Association of Missouri raising funds to restore Webb City Florist neon sign
The Route 66 Association of Missouri is trying to raise $5,000 by the end of September to restore the neon sign for Webb City Florist in Webb City, Missouri. Rich Dinkela, president of the association, a few days ago posted a video about the business and the fundraiser: Dinkela talked to the previous owner about … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising funds to restore Webb City Florist neon sign
J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
If you've never received a tour inside the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, a recent article by an area newspaper will give you the next best thing. The Bloomington Pantagraph posted a bunch of photographs and a video of the historic landmark just off Route 66 as part of its "Off Limits" … Continue reading J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners
Country Classic Cars, a mainstay along Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois, for almost a quarter-century, has new proprietors after the previous owners decided to retire. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Josh and Candi Laurent bought out longtime owners Russ and Anita Noel, who plan to travel around the country. The business' Facebook page made … Continue reading Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners
Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
West of Springfield, Missouri, down a rural section of Route 66, Yeakley Chapel boasts a congregation that predates the Mother Road by 60 years and a chapel itself that predates the highway by four decades. KSMU radio, a PBS station in the area, posted a story about the Methodist congregation there, which dates to the … Continue reading Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years