Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

Broken elevator at Grand Canyon Caverns strands people 200 feet underground for more than a day

Five people became stranded for more than 24 hours about 200 feet underground after the elevator at Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, malfunctioned Sunday evening. According to ABC News: Several people were able to walk up the 21 flights of stairs to get out, but five others were either unable to safely do … Continue reading Broken elevator at Grand Canyon Caverns strands people 200 feet underground for more than a day

Rick Koch no longer involved in Glancy Motel, Pop Hicks redevelopment plan

Local oilman Rick Koch no longer is involved in a plan to redevelop the Glancy Motel and Pop Hicks properties along Route 66 in Clinton, Oklahoma. According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required): “Rick Koch is no longer involved in the Glancy project and has chosen instead to focus on his work down at … Continue reading Rick Koch no longer involved in Glancy Motel, Pop Hicks redevelopment plan

Crossroads Cookery restaurant opens in Sapulpa with an eye-catching neon sign

The Crossroads Cookery restaurant recently opened in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, along with a sign that a local news outlet says is the first new neon signage in that part of town in decades. According to a Facebook post by Joni Rogers, the elaborate neon sign at the restaurant at 117 E. Dewey Ave. (aka Route … Continue reading Crossroads Cookery restaurant opens in Sapulpa with an eye-catching neon sign

Companion neon sign erected next to Circle Cinema in Tulsa

A golden-colored "Stay Gold" neon sign recently was erected next to the historic Circle Cinema along the Lewis Avenue alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa. The sign is part of the city's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program which awards money to businesses on or near Tulsa's Route 66 corridors to rehabilitate old neon signs … Continue reading Companion neon sign erected next to Circle Cinema in Tulsa

Pancake Hut in Carthage to mark homecoming of restored Chicago Band Box

The Pancake Hut restaurant in Carthage, Missouri, will hold a homecoming celebration on Friday of its recently restored Chicago Band Box animated music box. According to the Joplin Globe, the restaurant at 301 S. Garrison Ave. (aka Route 66) will hold the celebration from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. that day. The Pancake Hut is next … Continue reading Pancake Hut in Carthage to mark homecoming of restored Chicago Band Box

How an incident at Oklahoma Joe’s led to an early civil-rights movement in Albuquerque

A recently posted massive photo archive on the Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 page on Facebook revealed an episode at an Albuquerque restaurant that led to the city imposing an anti-discrimination ordinance years before the U.S. civil-rights movement began in the mid-1950s. One post contained an old postcard of Oklahoma Joe's Genuine Pit Bar-B-Que … Continue reading How an incident at Oklahoma Joe’s led to an early civil-rights movement in Albuquerque

Original Clifton’s building in downtown Los Angeles sold for $8.6 million

A local real estate investment firm recently purchased the original Clifton's Cafeteria building in downtown Los Angeles for $8.6 million. CoStar News reports the Robhana Group made the deal with previous owner Andrew Meieran, who bought the property for $3.6 million in 2011 and conducted millions more in renovations. Meieran said Clifton's signed a long-term … Continue reading Original Clifton’s building in downtown Los Angeles sold for $8.6 million

Newest neon sign revealed in Tulsa’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program

A Tulsa design firm recently provided a sneak peek of the newest sign to be a part of that city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program. Brethren Design Co. posted on Instagram an image of the neon sign for a new location for one of the Chicken and the Wolf restaurants at Harvard Avenue and 11th … Continue reading Newest neon sign revealed in Tulsa’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program

Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena

Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, has a new addition -- a modified Big Boy statue from a Big Boy Restaurant. Instead of the Big Boy carrying a hamburger, he's hoisting four tires. That seems to be an appropriate modification for a site that once was a Texaco station. Gearhead Curios owner Aaron … Continue reading Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena