Big Route 66 neon sign installed at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield

A 40-foot neon sign was installed a few days ago at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The sign is near the fairgrounds' Gate 2, which is at the corner of Peoria Road (aka Route 66) and Sangamon Avenue. It's the first of five signs at the gate. The Route 66 Experience also is located … Continue reading Big Route 66 neon sign installed at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield

Hear Angel Delgadillo’s induction speech for the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame

Last month, 95-year-old Angel Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona, was inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Paradise Alley. A number of details emerged from the event, but little about Delgadillo's induction speech itself. This week, a video of Delgadillo's speech emerged on YouTube. According to a Facebook post from Delgadillo's … Continue reading Hear Angel Delgadillo’s induction speech for the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame

Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will receive a $500,000 grant to help add to the exhibit, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Old Joliet Prison in Joliet also will receive $250,000 from the same program for exterior illumination of the … Continue reading Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

Jerry Ueckert, champion of Route 66 in New Mexico, dies at age 71

Jerry Ueckert, a strong advocate for Route 66, especially in New Mexico, died in Edgewood earlier this month. He was 71. In a lengthy obituary in the Edgewood Independent newspaper, it reported he co-founded the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce with Bob Audette, Keith Matson and Bill Gilmore. He also was managing editor of New … Continue reading Jerry Ueckert, champion of Route 66 in New Mexico, dies at age 71

Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona hands out four cost-share grants worth $10,000 each

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently awarded four cost-share grants worth $10,000 each to properties. The grant awards were announced in the association's newsletter, which was emailed this week. 1955 Texaco gas station, Winslow ($10,000): Plans include removing exterior paint to expose original white and green porcelain, replacing the garage door with a … Continue reading Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona hands out four cost-share grants worth $10,000 each

Angel Delgadillo inducted into Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame

Angel Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona, last week was inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame for his championing of Route 66 for decades. The honor occurred July 14 during the 2022 Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala in Paradise Valley. The award is given to a person "who has earned a lifetime distinction through many years … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo inducted into Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame

Angel Delgadillo announces retirement from barbering after 75 years in the trade

Angel Delgadillo, known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66, announced on Thursday he was retiring from the barber trade after 75 years in it, virtually all in Seligman, Arizona. The Angel and Vilma Delgadillo's Original Route 66 Gift Shop account on Facebook announced it: Angel always says the first day of his barbering career … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo announces retirement from barbering after 75 years in the trade

Route 66 Association of Missouri’s Motor Tour includes an exclusive tour of Red Cedar Inn

The Route 66 Association of Missouri's annual Motor Tour in September will include an exclusive tour of the Red Cedar Inn building in Pacific, Missouri, that's being converted into a Route 66 visitors center, museum and genealogy site. "They are almost finished and we are going to be the first people to see the completed … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri’s Motor Tour includes an exclusive tour of Red Cedar Inn

New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video

The New Mexico Route 66 Association announced Friday it had received a cost-share grant to produce an instructional video titled titled "Do-It-Yourself Neon Sign Servicing and Repair." The association received $7,500 from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to produce the $1,500 video. The association gave more details in a news release: The association is … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video

Latest Oklahoma Route 66 Association Trip Guide now is available

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it has printed its 2022-2023 edition of its Trip Guide and will be available at Business Member locations. A listing of the organization's Business Members is here. The Trip Guide has been printed for at least 20 years. The free Trip Guide also can be ordered online, with … Continue reading Latest Oklahoma Route 66 Association Trip Guide now is available