The original cash register used in the historic Threatt Filling Station on Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma, is on display as part of the Smithsonian's "The Negro Motorist Green Book" exhibition at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. According to The Luther Register, the cash register is on loan during a three-year national tour … Continue reading Cash register from Threatt Filling Station to be part of Smithsonian exhibition
Category: Preservation
Oklahoma invites public comments on Pony Bridge redevelopment
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is asking for opinions on a future project to rehabilitate the U.S. 281 bridge, aka the Pony Bridge, over the South Canadian River near Bridgeport. The nearly 4,000-foot-long William H. Murray Bridge, built in 1934, is on the National Register of Historic Places and appeared in a scene of the … Continue reading Oklahoma invites public comments on Pony Bridge redevelopment
AAA Oklahoma to launch early celebration of Route 66’s centennial
AAA Oklahoma will get an early start on the 2026 centennial of Route 66 by launching the U.S. 66 Road Fest event from Tulsa to Oklahoma City next year. According to a news release from AAA, the festival starting in mid-June 2021 also will include all the communities along Route 66's 420 miles in the Sooner … Continue reading AAA Oklahoma to launch early celebration of Route 66’s centennial
Tucumcari group raising money to buy a vintage neon motel sign
A group based in Tucumcari, New Mexico, is raising money to buy a neon sign listed on eBay that once graced a closed motel in the city. The sign once hung on the large, ornamental stone chimney of the Trav-O-Tel Motel along U.S. 54 in Tucumcari, less than a mile north of Route 66.One can … Continue reading Tucumcari group raising money to buy a vintage neon motel sign
Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, added to National Register of Historic Places
About 30 miles of Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, from the Oklahoma border to the Gray County line has been designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing was effective Sept. 22, according to an email from the National Park Service. The email states the historic designation covers the south outer road … Continue reading Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, added to National Register of Historic Places
Fine-art photographer lends a hand to struggling Midpoint Cafe
A fine-art photographer based in Amarillo is helping the iconic Midpoint Cafe in nearby Adrian, Texas, as it struggles through the economic ripples of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim Livingston, whom many readers may remember from his "I Am Route 66" project, said he would donate proceeds from the sale of photographs of the Route 66 … Continue reading Fine-art photographer lends a hand to struggling Midpoint Cafe
Some stucco repairs made to Painted Desert Trading Post
Volunteers recently spent a few days performing stucco repairs to the long-abandoned Painted Desert Trading Post building in eastern Arizona before winter sets in. When the group returns in the spring, it'll finish the stucco work, then Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan eventually will repaint the faded letters on the building. Mike Ward … Continue reading Some stucco repairs made to Painted Desert Trading Post
‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
New Route 66 Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress
The U.S. Congress is going to try again to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail during the current session. According to a Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership news release, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) on Monday introduced HR8240 in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-Calif.] co-sponsored the bill Here's … Continue reading New Route 66 Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress
Golf event by Oklahoma lieutenant governor to benefit Threatt Station
Some proceeds from Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell's annual Luau on the Green and golf tournament later this month will benefit the historic Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. The family that owns the station made the announcement on Facebook a few days ago. They stated: We are honored, thankful and excited … Continue reading Golf event by Oklahoma lieutenant governor to benefit Threatt Station