In August, two men plan to drive the 2,400-mile length of Route 66 in a restored 1973 Chrysler New Yorker in tribute to the car's late owner. The road trip by Markku Jaakkola and Jacob Gilbert will be part of an Official Route 66 Centennial event. Jaakkola, a Finnish‑born automotive storyteller and quality engineer, wrote … Continue reading Restored 1973 Chrysler New Yorker will be driven on Route 66 in tribute to its late owner
Category: Preservation
Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
The Joplin History & Mineral Museum in Joplin, Missouri, reopened last week with a new Route 66 exhibit after a month-long renovation. Here are images from Joplin's tourism bureau of the refreshed museum: Curator Chris Wiseman told the Joplin Globe that the face-lift comes during the centennial of Route 66, the 250th year of the United … Continue reading Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow
The Bristow (Oklahoma) Historical Society \announced that a lights-on ceremony will be set for the evening of April 11 for the long-dark Chrysler Plymouth tower sign. The ceremony will take place at about 8:15 p.m. The tower sign once stood a block or two from Route 66, but it has been moved to the Mother … Continue reading Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow
“Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
A new exhibit, titled “Through The Windshield, Missouri’s Route 66.” recently opened in Columbia, Missouri, with more locations along Route 66 set for later this year. The exhibit covers Route 66's entirety in Missouri, from St. Louis County to Jasper County. It will feature rarely seen images, advertisements, postcards and other historical documents. Visitors will also … Continue reading “Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer
The new owners of the historic El Don Motel in Albuquerque told a local news outlet they hope to have it reopened as a boutique motel within six months. Co-owner Randy Bowen recently told Albuquerque Business First (subscription only) that contractors are working on the facility's plumbing. Fair and Square Builders of Albuquerque is the … Continue reading New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer
BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon acquires vintage neon sign, will restore it
BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon, Missouri, recently landed a vintage neon sign from another bowling alley in Kansas and will restore it. Bowlmor acquired the big bowling pin -- with "BOWLING" in neon letters -- that stood atop the All Star Lanes facility in Salina, Kansas. The pin measures 4 by 12 feet. All … Continue reading BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon acquires vintage neon sign, will restore it
Restored Western Trail Motel sign will be displayed at National Cowboy Museum show
The long-dark Western Trail Motel neon sign was recently restored and will be put on display at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Billboard Museum reports the sign is on loan from the Oklahoma Historical Society and eventually will become part of a neon park at a yet-to-be-announced location. The … Continue reading Restored Western Trail Motel sign will be displayed at National Cowboy Museum show
19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the awarding of 19 grants totaling more than $40,000 to Route 66 businesses and attractions. Each recipient receives $2,125 from the Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program. These are the recipients: VFW Post 6306 on Route 66 in Topock, Arizona, will commission the painting of … Continue reading 19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
Report: 15 rooms at Munger Moss Motel soon will be available for overnight stays
The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society reported that 15 rooms of the landmark Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will soon be available for overnight rentals. Lebanon City Administrator Troy Schulte made the announcement at the society’s annual membership meeting, according to a Facebook post. The Dels Corp., which bought the motel following the deaths … Continue reading Report: 15 rooms at Munger Moss Motel soon will be available for overnight stays
Owners of St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler fighting the city’s condemnation action
The owners of the century-old St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler, Oklahoma, are contesting the city council's decision to condemn the property. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, the city council in April voted to condemn the building because it "lacks necessary repairs and is in a state of decay to such an extent, it is … Continue reading Owners of St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler fighting the city’s condemnation action