The historic obelisk that marked a crossroads of the Ozark Trail near Stroud, Oklahoma, recently was cleansed of graffiti. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post Friday: The Ozark Trail obelisk near Stroud, OK has long been marred by graffiti. Thanks to the efforts of Route 66 enthusiast Sam Murray, the old … Continue reading Ozark Trail obelisk near Stroud cleaned of graffiti
Category: Preservation
Volunteers replace broken blade at The Mill in Lincoln
A group of volunteers on Friday repaired the blade at The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, that broke off during high winds a few months ago. High winds in December snapped off one of the faux blades of the windmill structure of the former Route 66 restaurant. According to the National Weather Service, gusts of … Continue reading Volunteers replace broken blade at The Mill in Lincoln
Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday
Citing a "decline in physical attendance," the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri, announced Tuesday it will close its doors permanently Friday. The Facebook page for the museum put out this message Tuesday: The post does not elaborate on what will happen to the extensive vacuum collection. The museum at 3 Industrial Drive in … Continue reading Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday
Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3
The grand reopening of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, is set for the weekend of May 3, coinciding with the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival. The gala begins May 3 with the Route 66 restaurant's first cruise night by the Rusty Nutz Car Club. The Red Carpet Festival begins that … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3
473 Bar in old Phillips 66 gas station to hold grand opening Saturday
The 473 Bar, in a repurposed 1929 Phillips 66 gas station in Tulsa, will host its grand opening Saturday with lawn games, music, food trucks and its ever-present locally based beverages. The bar, also known as Four. Seven. Three., at 2224 E. Admiral Blvd., takes its name from the fact it was built as Phillips … Continue reading 473 Bar in old Phillips 66 gas station to hold grand opening Saturday
Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday
The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, will mark its 90th anniversary Thursday with a screening of "The Wizard of Oz" and other festivities that night. The theater asked the public on Facebook which film it would most like to see, and "Gone With the Wind" was the winner. However, management nixed it because of its … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday
Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield
The owners of the soon-to-open Kum & Go convenience store at a corner in Springfield, Missouri, that contained an original stretch of Route 66 pledged it would pay tribute to the Mother Road. It appears to have kept that promise. Jonathan Sharp posted these pictures on Facebook of an elaborate neon sign on the side … Continue reading Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield
Fender’s River Road Resort sign removed for restoration
The historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, recently was removed so it can be restored. Photographer KC Keefer, who launched a fundraising effort in early 2018 to restore the sign, sent out a news release Wednesday that stated: The plan is to completely refurbish the neon “Motel” sign at Fenders … Continue reading Fender’s River Road Resort sign removed for restoration
Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests
The Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, reopened Monday to seven overnight guests. Another seven rooms will be open in a few days, and its saloon will open later this month. It had been more than 50 years since the Castaneda operated as a hotel. It also appears the century-old former Harvey House is … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests
Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau stated last week it likely would sell a 1920s-era garage it once considered renovating into a Route 66 visitors center. The city in 2014 purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (aka Route 66) and several adjoining lots for $18,500. The city spent nearly $5,000 more to repair the structure's … Continue reading Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center