The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
Category: Signs
City of Amarillo throwing a party to commemorate Route 66-themed water tower
The City of Amarillo is holding a "Route 66 Water Tower Celebration" on Wednesday morning to commemorate the new Route 66-themed paint job on its large water tower just off Sixth Avenue. According to a news release from the city, the party will be at 9 a.m. at Smitty's Food Park at 3913 Sixth Ave. … Continue reading City of Amarillo throwing a party to commemorate Route 66-themed water tower
About 200 attend relighting of neon sign of Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita
Approximately 200 gathered Saturday evening to view a relighting ceremony for the neon sign of the Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma. It was the first time in about 30 years the sign experienced a glow from its neon tubing. Tom Schwartz, who built the Route 66 restaurant and its sign in 1963, threw the switch … Continue reading About 200 attend relighting of neon sign of Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita
Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum
Restored neon signs from the long-defunct Westward Hotel in St. Louis recently were installed in the National Museum of Transportation. A brief video of the signs was posted on the Tumblr account of museum director Terri McEachern. A screenshot: The installation is inside the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center. The Westward Hotel, which operated from … Continue reading Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum
Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
The historic Tower Theatre along Route 66 in Oklahoma City recently saw layoffs and a big management shake-up. The Lost Ogle, an OKC-based website that has broken a number of big stories over the years, reported at least nine people at the theater were laid off, others were forced to reapply for their jobs, and … Continue reading Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
New Route 66 emblem emerges on Amarillo water tower
A long-planned Amarillo Route 66 emblem recently emerged on one of the city's large water towers located just off the Mother Road. Dora Meroney of Texas Ivy Antiques has posted a number of photos of the emblem on the tower, which is undergoing repainting: The Amarillo Route 66 water tower even has its own Facebook … Continue reading New Route 66 emblem emerges on Amarillo water tower
City of Amarillo begins repainting water tower that will sport a Route 66 emblem
The City of Amarillo recently began repainting a water tower that will include a special Route 66 emblem, probably by early spring. KFDA-TV reported about the project last week: “You really don’t know if you’re on Route 66, unless you’re seeing those brown Route 66 signs that are pretty spread out. Having these markers will … Continue reading City of Amarillo begins repainting water tower that will sport a Route 66 emblem
Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, citing the success of the city's neon-sign grant program, recently announced it would launch a similar grant program for special events. The commission stated in a Facebook post the new program is designed to "encourage heritage tourism and economic development through special Route 66 events and to help Tulsa prepare … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events
A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma. The segment is part of KFOR-TV's ongoing "Is This a Great State or What?!" series. https://youtu.be/XAASN-4ZsPI Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to … Continue reading A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia