Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Two Albuquerque businesses, including the Monterey Motel, on Friday received the Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association. The association stated in a news release the Monterey was honored "in recognition of the preservation and retro-nouveau adaption of a classic Route 66 motel, originally opened as David Court in 1946 - renamed Monterey … Continue reading Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

New Mexico Route 66 Association gives Heritage Award to two Tucumcari businesses

The New Mexico Route 66 Association earlier this week presented its Heritage Award to Loretta's Burrito Hut and the Roadrunner Lodge Motel, both of the Tucumcari. Each winner gets a complimentary business membership to the association, a listing in the association's quarterly magazine and a metal Route 66 sign. New Mexico Route 66 Association President … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association gives Heritage Award to two Tucumcari businesses

Road Runner’s Retreat begins restoration work on its long-dark neon sign

The owner of the closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, began work last week on restoring its long-dark neon sign. The work was detailed in an Instagram post: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Road Runner’s Retreat (@roadrunnersretreatroute66) High winds forced an early end to the day's work, but "we’ll … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat begins restoration work on its long-dark neon sign

Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

A fire sparked accidentally by maintenance work on Tuesday destroyed the 19-foot-tall Frecs the Miner statue along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, stated in a Facebook post that sparks during repair work on the statue's arm fell inside the structure and set it ablaze. Undeterred, … Continue reading Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway soon will publish a special-edition magazine

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway recently announced it was about to publish its first-ever magazine, Illinois Route 66 Special Edition. The byway also will publish a 2022 Illinois Route 66 Visitor Guide. The cover of the magazine, as you can see above, features the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway soon will publish a special-edition magazine

Longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate Marty Blitstein dies

Marty Blitstein, a longtime officer with the Route 66 Association of Illinois, died in a hospice Sunday after a short illness. He was 80. The association's website announced his death this week. It described his effects on the organization: Among the highlights were revitalizing its membership and Treasury. He collaborated with Betty Estes to facilitate the moving of … Continue reading Longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate Marty Blitstein dies

Yet another neon sign erected along Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor

Tulsa Time Dental Design at East 11th Street (aka Route 66) and New Haven Avenue was the latest beneficiary of the city's Route 66 neon sign grant program. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission posted an image of the new neon sign a few days ago: Dennis Whitaker, who is part of the city's planning office, … Continue reading Yet another neon sign erected along Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor

Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge

The Lebanon (Missouri) Parks Department officially is moving forward with a feasibility study to see whether it can move part of Route 66's endangered Gasconade River Bridge to Boswell Park, though it remains unclear whether the span will be torn down. According to a report by KRMS radio, the cost to move the bridge isn’t … Continue reading Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge

Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, along with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, a few days ago announced they are launching a Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program as part of the highway's centennial celebrations culminating in 2026. According to a news release from the partnership: The Road Ahead was awarded a $250,000 grant … Continue reading Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program

Part of Gasconade River Bridge may be moved to Boswell Park in Lebanon

The park board of Lebanon, Missouri, is considering a feasibility study of whether a portion of the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen can be moved to Boswell Park, though the future of the Route 66 span continues to remain unclear. The Laclede County Record reported in its latest edition (subscription required) that Lebanon parks … Continue reading Part of Gasconade River Bridge may be moved to Boswell Park in Lebanon