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
Category: Preservation
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
Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association has launched an online fundraising campaign to restore the Spring River Inn neon sign that once stood near the long-defunct restaurant in Riverton, Kansas. The campaign was launched Thursday on GoFundMe.com, with a goal of $10,000. The sign is estimated to be about 60 years old. More about the … Continue reading Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
Clinton agency approves plan to renovate Glancy Motel, Pops Hicks properties
The Clinton Economic Development Authority during a special meeting Tuesday approved a $7.75 million plan to renovate the historic Glancy Motel and adjoining Pops Hicks restaurant properties in Clinton, Oklahoma. According to the Clinton Daily News, local oilman Rick Koch presented the proposal: The proposal includes renovating the Glancy and Pop Hicks to their historic … Continue reading Clinton agency approves plan to renovate Glancy Motel, Pops Hicks properties
Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri
The Great Rivers Greenway is working with the Missouri State Parks Foundation to restore the long-closed Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka into a pedestrian and cycling span. The bridge's deck was removed more than 10 years ago to help keep the main structure from deteriorating further, and its future looked … Continue reading Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri
Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
The historic Captain Creek Bridge along an alignment of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, recently reopened after the state's Department of Transportation improved and reconstructed the span using its original pony trusses. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook noted the completion of the project: "Although the original 1932 trusses no longer support the bridge, … Continue reading Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered to create a 66-mile-wide Route 66 Monarch Flyway to help monarch butterflies. WTTW, a PBS affiliate detailed the program: What the roadway can do for the butterfly is simple: Route 66 in Illinois happens to follow the natural migratory path of the … Continue reading Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies
Data indicates surge of business at drive-in theaters may persist
Many drive-in theaters did a booming business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly because it was the only safe or open entertainment venue for people to watch movies and, in some cases, go to concerts. According to a story from CNN Business, the good times for the drive-ins may not be over: Last … Continue reading Data indicates surge of business at drive-in theaters may persist
Co-owner says Hill Top Motel in Kingman will reopen in one to two months
The co-owner of the Hill Top Motel in Kingman, Arizona, said the Route 66 landmark will reopen in one or two months after a lengthy rehabilitation of the site. I was prompted to contact co-owner Makenzie Baker after seeing photos and a comment thread (which I can't find now) about the apparent restoration of the … Continue reading Co-owner says Hill Top Motel in Kingman will reopen in one to two months