Arcadia Unlimited arcade opening soon in downtown McLean, Illinois

Earlier this month, John Yates provided an update to an arcade project he calls Arcadia Unlimited, located in the downtown square of the Route 66 town of McLean, Illinois. Arcadia Unlimited is being housed in a century-old building that was once a grocery store. When finished, Yates said it would hold 250 to 300 vintage … Continue reading Arcadia Unlimited arcade opening soon in downtown McLean, Illinois

Three classic neon signs in Williams receive $35,000 in grants for restoration

Two grants totaling $35,000 will help restore three neon signs along the Route 66 corridor of Williams, Arizona. The neon signs that will be restored belong to the Turquoise Teepee, Canyon Club, and the World Famous Sultana Bar -- all along that city's Route 66 corridor. The Williams News (subscription required) reported that a $25,000 grant from the … Continue reading Three classic neon signs in Williams receive $35,000 in grants for restoration

Neon sign returned to Skyliner Motel in Stroud after its restoration

The owners of the Skyliner Motel in Stroud, Oklahoma, on Saturday celebrated the return and restoration of the vintage neon sign there. Here are some images from the event, via the Route 66 motel's page on Facebook: Earlier this summer, the motel posted images of the sign being taken down and its restoration: Charles Palmer … Continue reading Neon sign returned to Skyliner Motel in Stroud after its restoration

Route 66 gateway neon sign on Central Avenue in Albuquerque is restored

The large neon gateway sign on Route 66 on Albuquerque's west side recently received a facelift. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports that the city’s Department of Municipal Development joined with Zeon Signs to restore the sign at Central Avenue and 65th Street. The company said they cleaned out the whole sign, repainted it, and added new … Continue reading Route 66 gateway neon sign on Central Avenue in Albuquerque is restored

Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century

The neon sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat truck stop near Chambless, California, glowed again Saturday night for the first time in about 50 years. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route Association, was one of the people with his camera at the relighting ceremony: Here's a reel that shows the sign's animation of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century

Community members in Sayre helping Western Motel raise funds to restore neon sign

Folks in Sayre, Oklahoma, are helping the owners of the Western Motel raise money to restore its long-dark neon sign. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association reports that Chetan “Charley” Patel and his wife Chhaya, who have owned the Route 66 motel for over 15 years, applied for and were awarded about an $18,000 Neon Sign … Continue reading Community members in Sayre helping Western Motel raise funds to restore neon sign

New neon sign unveiled at Old Town Albuquerque along Route 66

The Old Town area of Albuquerque recently unveiled a new neon sign along Route 66. The Scene ABQ posted an image of the sign, which was paid for with a state tourism grant, on social media: For those unfamiliar, Old Town is the historic original town site of Albuquerque, established in 1706 by territorial Gov. … Continue reading New neon sign unveiled at Old Town Albuquerque along Route 66

West Winds Motel sign in Erick removed for restoration; project may be done in 30 days

The neon sign for the long-closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, recently was hauled away by contractors so it could undergo restoration. The workers hope the restoration project will be finished in 30 days, reported the Beckham County Record. The City of Erick received an Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant of $35,710 from the … Continue reading West Winds Motel sign in Erick removed for restoration; project may be done in 30 days

Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration

The 110-foot-tall Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, was taken apart Monday so it can be restored and then reassembled on Route 66 in the city. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, snapped a few photos of the job: Encino Signs in nearby Tulsa has been contracted to restore the sign. … Continue reading Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration

Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute

The Amarillo Art Institute in Amarillo, Texas, is hosting an exhibit, "The Mother Road — Open Air, Open Road," of dozens of paintings of Route 66 landmarks and signs. The exhibit runs through Sept. 26 at AAI’s Vermillion Gallery at 3701 Plains Blvd. According to the Amarillo Globe-News: The show, the first joint effort between … Continue reading Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute