City Tucumcari approves landmarks ordinance for historic Route 66 neon signs

By a 3-2 vote, the Tucumcari City Commission last week approved a landmark ordinance for the town's several dozen historic neon signs along its Route 66 corridor. The proposed ordinance had been rejected in December when it first was introduced, but it was reworked and resubmitted last month. Johnnie Meier, a former president of the … Continue reading City Tucumcari approves landmarks ordinance for historic Route 66 neon signs

State tourism department planning an Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is planning to publish 200,000 copies of an Oklahoma Route 66 Passport where magnets and a special coin can be collected. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association forwarded to Route 66 News a rate card for those who wish to advertise in the publication. The email from the tourism department … Continue reading State tourism department planning an Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

Illinois Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor officially disbands

Partly citing effective tourism representation from another group, the Illinois Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor that marketed Route 66 south of Springfield officially disbanded Dec. 31 and its website was scheduled to be taken down today. The group made the announcement a few weeks ago via Facebook: I asked Cheryl Eichar Jett, president of the … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor officially disbands

Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said Thursday on a video he wants the association to take over ownership of the endangered Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. Dinkela said he's seeking a groundswell of support to persuade the Missouri association to approve his proposal at its board meeting Saturday afternoon at … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Mountain Lodge sign near Albuquerque endangered; locals hope to find a new site for it

The neon sign for the defunct Mountain Lodge motel east of Albuquerque faces a possible wrecking ball after the property landed a new owner who wants it removed quickly. Residents in the area are trying to find an alternate nearby site for the sign but face hurdles over the cost and a short time window. … Continue reading Mountain Lodge sign near Albuquerque endangered; locals hope to find a new site for it

Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office is asking for proposals to survey historic properties along Route 66 in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Tulsa County includes the city of Tulsa along with the communities of Oakhurst and Red Fork along Route 66. Oklahoma County includes Oklahoma City, Bethany, Edmond, Arcadia and Luther along Route 66. The … Continue reading Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties

Another new neon sign goes up on Tulsa’s Route 66 for Burnett’s Flowers

Burnett's Flowers in Tulsa became Tulsa Route 66's first new neon sign installation in 2020 after the business received a neon sign grant from the city. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission stated in a Facebook post the flower shop recently moved near 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Quincy Avenue, but it's been in business … Continue reading Another new neon sign goes up on Tulsa’s Route 66 for Burnett’s Flowers

Route 66 Historical Trail bill won’t be reintroduced until after Supreme Court case

A lawsuit awaiting a decision in front of the U.S. Supreme Court is delaying the reintroduction of a bill that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, according to a newsletter sent Thursday from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership's chairman. Bill Thomas, partnership chairman, stated the Supreme Court probably won't rule on … Continue reading Route 66 Historical Trail bill won’t be reintroduced until after Supreme Court case

Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal

After prodding by officers from the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the Tucumcari City Commission last week passed a first reading of a proposed landmark ordinance for the town's historic Route 66 neon signs. However, final passage by the commission likely faces an uphill battle because of concerns about the ordinance infringing on property rights. … Continue reading Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal

Route 66 Road Ahead announces seven new recruits from tourism field

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership this week announced the recruitment of seven new tourism directors to the Promotion Working Group, giving it representation from all eight states that Route 66 traverses. Jennifer Mullins, chairwoman of the Promotion Working Group and Oklahoma's director of travel promotion, landed the seven recruits three months after joining the … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead announces seven new recruits from tourism field