The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership last week put out a news release, recommending historic churches along the Mother Road apply for grants from the National Fund for Sacred Places. The grant helps with training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support and capital grants of up to $250,000 to congregations of all faiths for rehabilitation … Continue reading Route 66 organization urging historic churches to apply for Sacred Places grants
Category: Preservation
A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma. The segment is part of KFOR-TV's ongoing "Is This a Great State or What?!" series. https://youtu.be/XAASN-4ZsPI Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to … Continue reading A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb
The new owners of the Pink Elephant Antique Mall along Route 66 in Livingston, Illinois, plan a number of changes, including converting the Future UFO into an overnight Airbnb site. Roy Wayne Pickerell announced on Facebook he and Tonia recently closed on their deal with previous owners Dave and Bernice Hammond to purchase the mall. … Continue reading Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, announced it would hold a relighting ceremony on March 25 for its soon-to-be-restored neon sign. The Route 66 restaurant posted photos Friday of the sign being removed "so it can be completely refurbished back to its historical glory." The restaurant added it would be the first time in more … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita sets March 25 for relighting ceremony for restored neon sign
Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
It's a business, but the McLean Depot Train Shop, housed in the former rail depot in McLean, Illinois, also serves as a passion for model train enthusiasts. The Pantagraph newspaper in nearby Bloomington recently published a feature about the train shop and the people who keep it going. Tom Ludlam owns the shop along Route … Continue reading Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month
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
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