Route 66 centennial bill reintroduced in Congress

An Illinois lawmaker reintroduced the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act before the Congress just days after the previous session failed to advance it and a Route 66 Historic Trail bill past the U.S. Senate. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) reintroduced the centennial bill, called H.R. 66, on Jan. 3 as the new Congress convened. Davis … Continue reading Route 66 centennial bill reintroduced in Congress

Last Camp Joy cabin to be donated to Lebanon Route 66 group

The last surviving cabin at the long-closed Camp Joy tourist camp in Lebanon, Missouri, will be donated to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society so it can be repaired and restored. The donation by Lee Sing, owner of Sing Rental, initially was announced Saturday during the Route 66 Association of Missouri meeting in Lebanon. Camp … Continue reading Last Camp Joy cabin to be donated to Lebanon Route 66 group

Details emerge for proposed Route 66 park in Marshfield

More details about a proposed Route 66 park on a section of original road in Marshfield, Missouri, emerged during a consultation meeting with engineers on the project. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Engineering presided over the meeting earlier this month with about 15 residents. A small section of Route 66 in Marshfield will be abandoned because … Continue reading Details emerge for proposed Route 66 park in Marshfield

Easterseals buys Golden Spur property, to reuse neon sign

Easterseals of Southern California has purchased the closed Golden Spur restaurant in Glendora, California, and pledged to repurpose its vintage neon sign. As reported in October, the Golden Spur at 1223 E. Route 66 in Glendora closed after 100 years there, leaving the fate of the restaurant's neon sign in doubt. According to the Inland … Continue reading Easterseals buys Golden Spur property, to reuse neon sign

Man vows to restore 1939 Texaco station in Galena

A veteran recently purchased the 1939 Texaco gas station in downtown Galena, Kansas, and plans to restore it in the coming years. Aaron Perry, a veteran from Wakarusa, Kansas, closed on the deal in the fall for the property at Sixth and Main streets (aka Route 66) in Galena. Wakarusa is about three hours' drive … Continue reading Man vows to restore 1939 Texaco station in Galena

Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments

The historic Rockwood Court and Cafe complex along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, recently reopened its restaurant, and the rest of the motel complex eventually will become apartments and units for overnight guests. Joe Roberds of SGF Neighborhood News recently posted the scoop. Roberds noted activity around the property and reported: The sign outside the … Continue reading Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments

Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage

Joshua Tree National Park in California, a common side trip for Route 66 travelers, will shut down today because of damage to the park and will remain closed until the government shutdown ends. The Los Angeles Times reported: Without rangers on hand, visitors created new roads by driving off pavement and defaced the park’s namesake … Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage

Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21

Workers plan to finish a multiyear restoration of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by spring and fully reopen it by June 21, according to a video posted Tuesday on the hotel's blog. The hotel hopes to have the south wing ready for overnight occupancy by March and will take reservations for … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21

Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge

The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians have gathered enough donations to help pay for an engineer's study for the bridge. Now, the nonprofit group is using the money to put together "pitch packets" for prospective new owners of the closed and endangered span near Hazelgreen, Missouri. In an article this week in the Rolla … Continue reading Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge

Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends

The 115th Congress failed to pass two Route 66-related bills into law before the legislative body's session ended Jan. 3, leaving Route 66 boosters the prospect of starting the process all over again with the new Congress. The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act and the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act easily passed through the … Continue reading Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends