After a soft opening earlier in the month, the Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno, Oklahoma, opened Saturday to regular hours. Here are images from the full opening: The $1.4 million renovation of the former gas station at 120 S. Choctaw Ave. (aka Route 66) was funded by a grant from the Oklahoma Route … Continue reading The Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno opens to regular hours
Category: Preservation
Newest Muffler Man installed at American Giants Museum
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, added another Muffler Man to its collection -- a Philips 66 Cowboy giant. Joel Baker, curator of the museum along old Route 66, posted a live Facebook video on the day the giant was installed. According to the American Giants website, the Phillips 66 cowboy giant was created … Continue reading Newest Muffler Man installed at American Giants Museum
Meteor City opens to the public for the first time in more than a decade
The former Meteor City Trading Post near Winslow, Arizona, reopened to the public Saturday for the first time since 2012. Now called Meteor City on Route 66, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to its Facebook page. Here are a few images from reopening weekend: Meteor City contains these expanded … Continue reading Meteor City opens to the public for the first time in more than a decade
City of Albuquerque acquires historic Unser racing family property
The City of Albuquerque recently purchased the historic Unser auto-racing family's property along Route 66, intending to preserve at least part of it for future generations. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reported that the purchase price was $2.2 million for the four-acre tract. The Unser family had offered the property to the city after the death in … Continue reading City of Albuquerque acquires historic Unser racing family property
National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday announced the latest selections for its Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Program, part of its Preserve Route 66 initiative. Twenty-five grants were awarded in all eight states that Route 66 goes through for a total of $227,323. Here is the list of awarded projects and dollar amounts: … Continue reading National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
Cattleman’s Club neon sign in Amarillo removed for restoration
The large neon sign for the Cattleman's Club & Cafe along Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, was removed a few days ago so it can be restored and relighted for the first time in decades. Neon signs for The Nat and Eastridge Lanes, also on Route 66 in Amarillo, also are due for rejuvenation. NewsChannel10 … Continue reading Cattleman’s Club neon sign in Amarillo removed for restoration
Grants again available from Backing Historic Small Restaurants program
The Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program, presented by American Express in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is back for its fifth round of funding. This year, 50 restaurants across the United States will each have the opportunity to receive a $50,000 grant. These funds can be used for exterior preservation projects … Continue reading Grants again available from Backing Historic Small Restaurants program
Volunteers repaint Meramec Caverns barn near Cayuga
Less than a week after Landmarks Illinois declared Meramec Caverns barns one of the state's Most Endangered Historic Places, volunteers for the Illinois Route 66 Association repainted one near Cayuga. The association hailed the restoration project: Penny Black posted on Facebook a bunch of photos of the repainting process here. John Weiss of the association's … Continue reading Volunteers repaint Meramec Caverns barn near Cayuga
New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
The new Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri, officially debuted on Friday, giving a chance for signs orphaned from long-defunct Route 66 businesses to glow again. It took the Route 66 neon park more than 10 years to become a reality, but it's here. Here are scenes from the lighting ceremony: The park … Continue reading New Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert lights up the night sky
Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington
The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop, opened in early May just steps from the new location of the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The shop will be open from Thursday through Monday from noon to 6 p.m. through November. It's at 110 S. Park St. (map here), just off Route 66 in Wilmington. … Continue reading Landing Pad shop opens near new Gemini Giant location in Wilmington