Today marks what is considered by many as the 95th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Highway 66, aka Route 66. As one who has run this website for 16 years and been involved on Route 66 for more than 20, I've got a few random thoughts from my time of reporting about this fabled … Continue reading Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday
Category: Preservation
Boots Court motel in Carthage changes owners, will reopen next spring
The historic Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, quietly changed ownership a few months ago and will reopen in the spring after the rest of the Route 66 motel's rooms are restored. Debye Harvey, one of the motel's co-owners with her sister for the past decade, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that two couples from … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage changes owners, will reopen next spring
National Preservation Awards honors restoration of Black Officers Club at Fort Leonard Wood
The National Trust for Historic Preservation last week gave one of its National Preservation Awards to Fort Leonard Wood in mid-Missouri for restoring Building 2101, better known as the Black Officers Club. The building was notable in it contains a mural by Staff Sgt. Samuel Countee, whose work was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. The … Continue reading National Preservation Awards honors restoration of Black Officers Club at Fort Leonard Wood
Painted Desert Trading Post project featured in Preservation Magazine
The recently completed and multiyear quest by volunteers to stabilize and restore the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in northeast Arizona is featured in the current issue of Preservation Magazine, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The article provides a history of the old Route 66 property and a behind-the-scenes telling of how … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post project featured in Preservation Magazine
Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week began a launch of requests for the next round of funds to businesses and communities along Illinois Route 66 ranging from $500 to $1,000 to byway members. Funds are available only to byway members; one can join the byway at illinoisroute66.org/membership. Applications will be accepted through the … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members
Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
The historic and iconic Tail O' the Pup stand, famous for its hot dog shape, will reopen in 2022 in West Hollywood, California, along its stretch of Route 66. LA Eater reported last week the stand, originally located at 311 La Cienega Blvd., will include a beer garden, as well: The 1933 Group announced plans this … Continue reading Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
Route 66 nominations encouraged for National Trust’s endangered places list
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for its annual 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list, and the chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is encouraging stakeholders to nominate jeopardized properties on Route 66. Bill Thomas, chairman of the partnership, stated in an email Tuesday that any Route 66 properties on … Continue reading Route 66 nominations encouraged for National Trust’s endangered places list
Joplin Union Depot makes Missouri Preservation’s Places in Peril list
The 110-year-old Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, recently made Missouri Preservation's annual Places in Peril list of endangered historic properties. These places are nominated by concerned individuals and decided upon by a committee of preservation advocates, according to a news release from the organization that has operated since 1976. Joplin Union Depot opened to … Continue reading Joplin Union Depot makes Missouri Preservation’s Places in Peril list
Volunteers help put a new roof on Shamrock Court in Sullivan
Volunteers and plenty of cash earlier this week helped put on a new and much-needed roof on the long-closed Shamrock Court motel along Route 66 in Sullivan, Missouri. Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri and owner of the property, posted some photos Tuesday after the work was completed: Dinkela wrote he … Continue reading Volunteers help put a new roof on Shamrock Court in Sullivan
Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City marks 75 years by relighting its tower with LED
The Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City on Tuesday marked its 75th anniversary by relighting its iconic, art deco marquee with new LED tubing. The Billboard Museum posted a video of a countdown of the relighting ceremony: The museum also recently posted several vintage images of the theater in a preview of the ceremony: G&S … Continue reading Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City marks 75 years by relighting its tower with LED