The historic but long-closed Road Runner’s Retreat complex on Route 66 near Chambless, California, is hosting its annual cleanup weekend on Oct. 16-17. According to the High Desert Daily: Former owner Duke Dotson will be on hand to share stories of his childhood growing up at Road Runner’s Retreat during Route 66’s heyday. The 1960’s Googie-Style … Continue reading Volunteer cleanup effort at Road Runner’s Retreat set for Oct. 16-17
Category: Preservation
U-Drop Inn’s restaurant officially reopens for the first time in decades
The restaurant inside the historic U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, officially opened for business Wednesday after about a one-week trial run. It's the first time a restaurant has operated in the Route 66 landmark in more than 25 years. The U-Drop Inn Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday … Continue reading U-Drop Inn’s restaurant officially reopens for the first time in decades
Restored version of “The Outsiders” film to be screened at Circle Cinema in Tulsa on Sept. 26, 29
The Circle Cinema of Tulsa, in partnership with The Outsiders House Museum in town, will show a newly restored cut of "The Outsiders Complete Novel" -- a final version of Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic book -- on 2 p.m. Sept. 26 and 7 p.m. Sept. 29. The Circle Cinema, along … Continue reading Restored version of “The Outsiders” film to be screened at Circle Cinema in Tulsa on Sept. 26, 29
Roof-rehab event at Shamrock Court begins Sept. 9
The president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri recently announced a volunteer work session that will begin Sept. 9 at the Shamrock Court property he owns in Sullivan, Missouri. Rich Dinkela stated the rehabilitation of the roof of the Route 66 motel will begin on that day and probably last for two days. He … Continue reading Roof-rehab event at Shamrock Court begins Sept. 9
Chicago Cubs documentary explains how Wrigley Field was renovated
This well-produced video released last month by the Chicago Cubs baseball team, "Saving Wrigley Field," goes into considerable detail about how the century-old ballpark underwent a badly needed renovation a few years ago. If you have about an hour to kill, I commend it to your attention: https://youtu.be/xd9VrvheS-s Though the Wrigley Field project was large-scale, … Continue reading Chicago Cubs documentary explains how Wrigley Field was renovated
Arizona 66 Association awards grant to repurpose Holbrook motel into veterans housing
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona awarded a $10,000 grant to Veteran Services USA to "repurpose and renew historic elements" of the former America's Best Value Inn motel at 720 Navajo Blvd. in Holbrook, Arizona. A news release from Veteran Services USA stated: Motel owner Veteran Services USA intends to pursue several pre-development steps that will elevate … Continue reading Arizona 66 Association awards grant to repurpose Holbrook motel into veterans housing
Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Many times, I've driven by the neon "Lexington" sign that stands along Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, and thought: "I wonder how long that sign has been there?" That question was answered this week during the "How Time Flies" featurette in The Pantagraph in nearby Bloomington: Aug. 31, 1946: Lexington has a new neon sign along … Continue reading Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
A charitable trust has awarded more than $45,000 to restore the marquee neon at the historic Redland Theatre in downtown Clinton, Oklahoma. The M.T. and Helen Gholston Charitable Trust gave $45,765 to the Clinton Industrial Foundation, which will oversee the distribution of the money during the sign's restoration, according to the Clinton Daily News. According … Continue reading Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, led by state tourism chief and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, is considering building a Route 66 neon park at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Those details emerged in a Facebook post by the Oklahoma-based Billboard Museum, which hopes to eventually build its own facility in the OKC … Continue reading Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum
The Chelsea Area Historical Society wants to restore and convert the historic Bank of Chelsea building in downtown Chelsea, Oklahoma, into a museum. The society held a community meeting at the Chelsea Civic Center on Thursday to discuss funding options and the building's importance. According to a historical society official contacted through Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum