Bristow Historical Society seeks to get ‘little church’ on National Register

The Bristow (Oklahoma) Historical Society seeks to place the St. George's Episcopal Church, aka the city's "little church," on the National Register of Historic Places. The church is at West Seventh Avenue and North Elm Street in Bristow, one block west of Route 66 near the downtown area. Built in 1904, St. George's was the … Continue reading Bristow Historical Society seeks to get ‘little church’ on National Register

Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot

Wally Kennedy, a longtime reporter for the Joplin Globe newspaper, said it's "now or never" to do something to preserve the long-closed Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri. Kennedy wrote on Friday: "There is a new effort under way to save it. This is the way I see it: Time is running out for the … Continue reading Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot

New Mexico Route 66 Association to honor Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque

The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Saturday will give its Heritage Award to Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque at noon Saturday. According to a news release from the association, it is recognizing the "revitalization of this classic Route 66 motel into a whimsical, memorable experience with piZAZZ." Originally opened as Albuquerque TraveLodge East in 1966, … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association to honor Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque

Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge

A federal court in St. Louis heard the City of Carthage's appeal of a lawsuit ruling involving Union Pacific Railroad for its alleged lack of maintenance of bridges in the city, including the century-old Route 66 Oak Street Bridge, aka the Whee Bridge. According to the Joplin Globe, the city appealed a lower judge's ruling … Continue reading Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program opens its cost-share grant season for 2023

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program recently announced it has opened its cost-share grant application season for 2023. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, this year's grant funding total is $120,000, with a $30,000 maximum. Eligible grant opportunities include preservation planning, National Register of Historic Places nominations, preservation and rehabilitation work on eligible historic … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program opens its cost-share grant season for 2023

About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield

The Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, is due for $15.1 million in improvements under the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield: The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, … Continue reading About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield

Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

The landmark Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville, Missouri, will mark its 100th year with a celebration on April 1 at nearby Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. The party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, a Saturday. The park is easily accessed via Spring Road on the east side of Roubidoux Creek. According to the … Continue reading Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

Albert Okura, a restaurateur who owned the town of Amboy, dies

Albert Okura, longtime owner and founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain who purchased the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, in 2005, died last week. Okura also owned the first original McDonald's -- also a popular Route 66 stop in San Bernardino, California. He purchased that location in 1998, stocked it with McDonald's memorabilia … Continue reading Albert Okura, a restaurateur who owned the town of Amboy, dies

Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site

A closed Firestone service station in downtown Albuquerque that dated to the early 1930s will become the future site of an Ex Novo Brewing Co. taproom this fall. Albuquerque-based Geltmore LLC, Ex Novo and a group of local investors on Thursday completed the purchase of the Firestone on Seventh Street and Central Avenue (aka Route … Continue reading Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site

Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring

The Route 66 Association of Missouri could take over ownership of the historic Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen by May or June. Gary Sosniecki wrote a report about the association's winter meeting at Route 66 State Park in Eureka for the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Association President Rich Dinkela and Vice President … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring