The New Mexico Route 66 Association recently gave out Heritage Awards to Glenn's Bakery in Gallup, May Cafe in Albuquerque and Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa for their efforts at revitalization. The Pecos Theatre at 219 S. Fourth St. (aka Route 66) was honored for renovating the oldest theater on Route 66, built in 1917. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
Category: Preservation
New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled
The Interparts of Tulsa shop unveiled its revamped neon sign Friday evening at 3615 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), one of several neon signs created or restored via the city's burgeoning Route 66 neon-sign grant program. The Interparts sign dates to the 1950s, according to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. It's the fifth sign … Continue reading New Interparts of Tulsa neon sign is unveiled
Road Runner’s Retreat mulls full sign restoration after brief and partial relighting
A whim on the night Roy's neon sign in Amboy, California, was relighted led a successful partial relighting a portion of the nearby Road Runner's Retreat sign and considering a full restoration. The Facebook page for the long-closed Route 66 restaurant posted this Wednesday: I asked Ryan Anderson, owner of the property and administrator of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat mulls full sign restoration after brief and partial relighting
Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs
The Tucumcari City Commission last week by a 3-2 vote rejected a landmark ordinance that would have added a layer of protection for historic neon signs -- a sign of how property rights make such proposals a tough sell. One of the commissioners who rejected the plan, Todd Duplantis, owns two Route 66 restaurants in … Continue reading Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs
State sets April 20 deadline to avoid razing of Gasconade River Bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation set a "drop-dead" date of April 20 for the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians to find a new owner for the historic span near Hazelgreen, Missouri, or else the state will dismantle it. Facing the looming deadline, preservationists eventually shifted the questions to MoDOT about how to acquire pieces … Continue reading State sets April 20 deadline to avoid razing of Gasconade River Bridge
Time is running out to save Gasconade River Bridge
Time to save the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, from demolition is running out, as a contract to raze the historic Route 66 span may be awarded by mid-2020. Gary Sosniecki of the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society wrote that no progress was made this week during one of several "last-ditch" efforts to … Continue reading Time is running out to save Gasconade River Bridge
A long-closed gas station in Valentine, Arizona, reopens as a gift shop
A long-closed gas station called Valentine Station in Valentine, Arizona, reopened a few months ago as a gift shop. Marian Pavel, traveling Route 66 as part of field research to update his company's Route 66 Navigation app, found out last month about it reopening. Route 66 Navigation passed along the news on Facebook: Contacted through … Continue reading A long-closed gas station in Valentine, Arizona, reopens as a gift shop
Oklahoma City’s first-ever historic preservation plan is posted online
In October, The Oklahoman reported about a forthcoming and first-ever historic preservation plan for Oklahoma City. The newspaper reported: The 141-page draft was reviewed last week in a workshop attended by members of the city council, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission.It is entering a period of public comment, heading toward hearings by … Continue reading Oklahoma City’s first-ever historic preservation plan is posted online
County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is proceeding with a preservation plan for the nearly century-old stretch of Route 66, also known as the Ribbon Road or Sidewalk Highway, that may include a cycling or pedestrian trail next to it. KSN/KODE-TV reported: It will feature a walking, biking, and hiking trail alongside the historic Mother Road.Ottawa County Commissioner, … Continue reading County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail
Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa
A fourth neon sign that's new or restored along Route 66 in Tulsa came to life last week, this time at U.S. Studio 66. U.S. Studio 66 is at 5202 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), just west of the historic Desert Hills Motel. Other signs that are new or have been restored are Billy … Continue reading Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa