City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot

The City of Joplin, Missouri, has tapped a commercial real-estate firm to help market the century-old Joplin Union Depot with the hope someone can redevelop and renovate it. The city announced the effort Wednesday. The real-estate company, Glenn Group, will work with the Downtown Joplin Alliance through its Endangered Properties Program and the Missouri Department … Continue reading City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot

Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism

Visitors at the iconic Blue Whale site off Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, will be unable to climb into the whale's interior after someone vandalized that space with spraypaint last week. According to Channel 2 in nearby Tulsa: “Yesterday morning, a sweet family who had climbed up the blue whale’s head for the great photo … Continue reading Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism

Miami, Oklahoma, firefighters seek to restore 1949 firetruck

Firefighters in the Route 66 town of Miami, Oklahoma, are raising funds to restore their 1949 firetruck so it can be used for parades and other special events. The 75-year-old Seagrave firetruck undoubtedly was used many times over the decades in fires and accidents along Route 66 in the city. The city estimates it will … Continue reading Miami, Oklahoma, firefighters seek to restore 1949 firetruck

“Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive

The 88-minute film "Route 66: The Mother Road" which starred bestselling author Michael Wallis and his wife Suzanne in 1994, recently was uploaded to the Internet Archive for everyone to enjoy. The out-of-print film often also was titled "A Journey Down Route 66." A few copies on VHS or even DVD could be found on … Continue reading “Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive

Pappy’s Soda Jerk restaurant in Amarillo is housed in a rare 1929 Ford Model AA

The next time you're in Amarillo looking for a meal during the weekend, keep your eyes peeled for a restored 1929 Ford Model AA that now houses Pappy's Soda Jerk restaurant. Robert Rowley's vehicle often can be found parked on Fridays and Saturdays at his wife's business, Amarillo Developmental Gymnastics Center; Tripp's Harley Davidson, or … Continue reading Pappy’s Soda Jerk restaurant in Amarillo is housed in a rare 1929 Ford Model AA

Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

The Route 66 Association of Missouri is planning a May 28 event to repaint "the largest Route 66 shield in Missouri" at Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Paris Springs, Missouri. Roamin' Rich Dinkela, now president of the association, in 2018 painted the large shield onto the roadway, and it has become faded with weather … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

Clinton group passes measure to begin rehab of Glancy Motel, rebuilding Pop Hicks

The Clinton Economic Development Authority board of trustees in Clinton, Oklahoma, during a special meeting Tuesday passed a three-part motion designed to advance the planned rehabilitation of the Glancy Motel and the resurrection of the long-closed Pop Hicks restaurant. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) on Thursday had details behind the move: The motion, made … Continue reading Clinton group passes measure to begin rehab of Glancy Motel, rebuilding Pop Hicks

Former Howard Johnson hotel in Flagstaff to be converted to emergency housing

A former Howard Johnson hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, has been purchased by a local entity so it can be converted into emergency housing for senior citizens, local families and the medically vulnerable. The Arizona Daily Sun reported the 58-room hotel at 3300 E. Route 66 Blvd. -- which opened as The Crown in 1967 -- … Continue reading Former Howard Johnson hotel in Flagstaff to be converted to emergency housing

Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker

Organizers for the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announced this week that Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's Corp., will be the keynote speaker during the Oct. 20-23 event in Pontiac, Illinois. The conference also will be dedicated to the memory of David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, who died in January. A … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces Stuckey’s CEO as keynote speaker

Canute preservation group wants to restore Cotton Boll Motel neon sign

A group of preservation-minded members in Canute, Oklahoma, wants to restore the historic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign before Route 66's centennial in 2026, among doing other projects. The Daily Yonder talked to Kathy Schones, a resident of the western Oklahoma village: “We would like to get something done to that sign because it’s still … Continue reading Canute preservation group wants to restore Cotton Boll Motel neon sign