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

Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests

Ramona Lehman apparently has sold the historic Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri. The new owner has pledged to keep its neon sign and rooms for overnight Route 66 travelers, though part of it will be designated to long-term renters. Reports of the Munger Moss' sale began surfacing Monday after Route 66 enthusiasts or those … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests

Threatt Filling Station near Luther may open to the public as an interpretive center by June

The historic Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, may open to the public as an interpretive center as soon as June, according to its owner. Edward Threatt, an owner of the station, gave the tentative date during an interview with KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. Threatt said renovating the long-closed business encountered some setbacks in recent … Continue reading Threatt Filling Station near Luther may open to the public as an interpretive center by June