After five years of work, restoration is complete of the main, 90-foot-tall totem pole at Ed Galloway's historic Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma. To celebrate, the park will host a free bluegrass-music jam from 2 p.m. until dusk Saturday. Refreshments and food trucks will be there. Face masks will be suggested, and organizers say … Continue reading Celebration set for Saturday for completion of Totem Pole Park restoration
Category: Preservation
Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
A likely arson fire destroyed the restaurant building Wednesday at the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat complex near Chambless, California. Beth Murray reported the fire began about 4:15 p.m. The sign and service station remained intact, but the restaurant was "a total loss." After the bad news, Murray set up a fundraiser with a goal of … Continue reading Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Renovations on the historic Monterey Motel in Albuquerque will be completed by September in its conversion to a higher-end hostel. Downtown Albuquerque News recently talked to Chad Renneker, a Portland, Oregon-based developer who also brought El Vado Motel back to life as a boutique motel with a taproom and several shops. The bunk beds will … Continue reading Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September
Central Camera, a mainstay on Route 66 in downtown Chicago for over a century that burned during unrest in late May over the George Floyd police-brutality case, will reopen in September in a temporary store as the original is rebuilt. Block Club Chicago had the story Tuesday: The store at 228 S. Wabash Ave. will … Continue reading Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September
Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
A purported arson fire Tuesday destroyed an 1899 passenger railcar in Galena, Kansas, slated to begin restoration as a future tourist attraction along Route 66. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby stated in a Facebook post the former presidential railcar from the Kansas City Southern Railway contained hand-laid mosaic tile showers, a kitchen, a dining room, … Continue reading Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register
An 1891 house in Webb City, Missouri, and a commercial district on Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis each were added to the National Register of Historic Places last week. Both are on or very near historic Route 66. The Elijah Thomas Webb home at 4 S. Liberty St. in Webb City (map here) is owned … Continue reading Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register
City of Catoosa purchases Blue Whale property
The city of Catoosa, Oklahoma, in April purchased the Blue Whale and its surrounding 23 1/2 acres from its longtime owners, the Davis family. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, revealed the news during a blog post Sunday: Since Catoosa has taken ownership of the land, there have been several improvements. The … Continue reading City of Catoosa purchases Blue Whale property
Endangered California Route 66 Museum to hold car show as a fundraiser
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville will host a drive-through car show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as a fundraiser in an attempt to keep from closing its doors permanently. Hagerty Media got details about the event from museum director Sue Bridges: Bridges is asking collector car owners to enter the museum … Continue reading Endangered California Route 66 Museum to hold car show as a fundraiser
Arizona Route 66 Association partners with foundation to award grants
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced this week it is partnering with the Arizona Community Foundation to award grants to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and local, state and tribal agencies. According to a news release from the association: The Route 66 Arizona grant seeks applicants who support the Historic Route 66 Association of … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association partners with foundation to award grants
City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan
The city of Tulsa is conducting an online survey for a master plan update, called Plan 66, for its Route 66 corridor. The Tulsa Planning Office stated on its website: Over the past 15 years since the original Route 66 Enhancements and Promotion Master Plan of Development was released, several initiatives have been implemented. A Master Plan … Continue reading City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan