The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where a young politician named Abraham Lincoln served in the state Legislature and delivered his "House Divided" speech, reopened to tours last week after months of interior renovations. The Associated Press reports exterior work on the Capitol's dome is continuing, but indoor work on plaster and painting was … Continue reading Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
Category: Preservation
London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
The relocated and reconstructed London Bridge today is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of that historic span in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to a recent newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the bridge reopened on Oct. 10, 1971, on the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City is about 30 miles … Continue reading London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
New owners get busy restoring landmark Phillips 66 cottage-style station in Chandler
The new owners of a Phillips 66 cottage-style gas station along Route 66 in Chandler, Oklahoma, have begun the restoration of the historic structure in earnest, including painstaking work on its multi-colored roof. Owners Shane and Sara Massie and others have posted photos on Facebook in the last two weeks of the work being done … Continue reading New owners get busy restoring landmark Phillips 66 cottage-style station in Chandler
Allen’s Fillin’ Station cleanup rescheduled again to Oct. 16
Try, try again. The volunteer cleanup day for the Allen's Fillin' Station site at 101 S. Main St. in Commerce, Oklahoma, has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, after two previous attempts were canceled because of bad weather. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, announced the new date Sunday in … Continue reading Allen’s Fillin’ Station cleanup rescheduled again to Oct. 16
Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
The Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is marking its 95th anniversary its month, surviving all sorts of upheaval and trends, including COVID-19. According to the KY3 station in Springfield, coming through the pandemic was no small feat: Throughout the years, the theatre has survived the depression, World War II, and most recently the pandemic. … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre in Springfield marks its 95th year
Historic log home to be moved to Sappington House museum in Crestwood
A log home more than 200 years old in Affton, Missouri, soon will be disassembled, moved and reassembled at the Historic Thomas Sappington House Museum in nearby Crestwood, Missouri. The two-story Joseph Sappington house in Affton, Missouri. Moving the log house, once owned by Joseph Sappington, to the museum grounds at 1015 Sapplingtor Road was … Continue reading Historic log home to be moved to Sappington House museum in Crestwood
New owner of Carl’s Drive-In says he’s sticking with its old-school methods
The new owner of the historic Carl's Drive-In in Brentwood, Missouri, said in an interview he's staying old-fashioned in the restaurant's style, including reviving old recipes. David Kraemer, who purchased the Route 66 diner a few weeks ago from Mike Franklin, told the Riverfront Times of St. Louis about how he's reviving a method from … Continue reading New owner of Carl’s Drive-In says he’s sticking with its old-school methods
Blue Whale of Catoosa is undergoing a weeklong effort of repairs and cleaning
The landmark Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, today is beginning a one-week effort by the city to clean, repaint and make repairs to the whale itself. The city's project begins today and will last through Friday, Oct. 1, according to a news release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. During that time period, the Blue … Continue reading Blue Whale of Catoosa is undergoing a weeklong effort of repairs and cleaning
Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building
Volunteers, including members of the Route 66 Co-op, this week finished the final stage of preserving the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. This week primarily concentrated on small repairs, installing interpretative panels inside the trading post that explains its history, and re-creating the lettering on the outside to resemble what it looked … Continue reading Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building
Century-old passenger rail car will be converted into a diner on Route 66
A 110-year-old passenger rail car is being moved to Bloomington, Illinois, so it can be converted into a diner on Route 66. The decaying Illinois Terminal rail car once sat for more than 30 years at a former depot in Harristown, Illinois, west of Decatur. David Parker of Bloomington was forced to cut the rail … Continue reading Century-old passenger rail car will be converted into a diner on Route 66