New sign at Navy Pier in Chicago marks unofficial eastern terminus of Route 66

Officials for the City of Chicago on Wednesday marked Navy Pier as the unofficial eastern start point of Route 66 during its centennial, including a new sign at the pier. The sign is outside Harry Caray's Tavern at the pier, the design which was chosen by the Route 66 Commission and the city, reported the … Continue reading New sign at Navy Pier in Chicago marks unofficial eastern terminus of Route 66

Neon sign removed from Silver Spur Motel in Amarillo

The distinctive neon sign for the Silver Spur Motel along Route 66 in Amarillo was removed last week. It will be at least partially restored, but it won't be going back up at the property because it has new owners. James Benson, an apparent sign collector based on his Facebook account, posted photos of the … Continue reading Neon sign removed from Silver Spur Motel in Amarillo

Western Hills Motel in Flagstaff being converted into affordable workforce apartments

The former Western Hills Motel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, will soon be converted into 29 apartment units by Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona. The nonprofit organization recently purchased the motel and will rent its rooms to households making up to 80% of the area median income, which is $69,840 for a Flagstaff household … Continue reading Western Hills Motel in Flagstaff being converted into affordable workforce apartments

About 100 people attend relighting of Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute

Nearly 100 people witnessed the relighting Saturday of the Cotton Boll Motel sign along Route 66 in Canute, Oklahoma. The motel no longer operates and is now a private residence. Its sign, however, glowed for the first time in decades. Here are images from those who attended the ceremony: About a year ago, the City … Continue reading About 100 people attend relighting of Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute

City of Tulsa rewriting rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program

The City of Tulsa is amending rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program after several were fabricated and installed without neon tubing. According to News on 6 in Tulsa, those without neon were The Capital of Route 66, Big Dipper Creamery and Anybody’s Guest signs. The signs were made with a newer manufacturing … Continue reading City of Tulsa rewriting rules for its Route 66 neon sign grant program

Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute will have a relighting event on March 21

The long-dark neon sign for the closed Cotton Boll Motel in Canute, Oklahoma, will glow again during an event on March 21. Dusk on that day will be approximately 8:15 p.m., though it could come earlier if cloudy skies occur. Several people on social media reported the relighting date, and one even snapped a recent … Continue reading Cotton Boll Motel sign in Canute will have a relighting event on March 21

New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area

A new Route 66-themed sculpture was installed recently along the historic highway in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, one of more than a dozen along the city's Mother Road. KOB-TV of Albuquerque reported that the "Route 66 Throne" artwork features a colorful Route 66 shield with gas pumps surrounding it, along with a cut-out … Continue reading New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area

Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow

The Bristow (Oklahoma) Historical Society \announced that a lights-on ceremony will be set for the evening of April 11 for the long-dark Chrysler Plymouth tower sign. The ceremony will take place at about 8:15 p.m. The tower sign once stood a block or two from Route 66, but it has been moved to the Mother … Continue reading Relighting ceremony set for April 11 for Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow

New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer

The new owners of the historic El Don Motel in Albuquerque told a local news outlet they hope to have it reopened as a boutique motel within six months. Co-owner Randy Bowen recently told Albuquerque Business First (subscription only) that contractors are working on the facility's plumbing. Fair and Square Builders of Albuquerque is the … Continue reading New owners of El Don Motel in Albuquerque hope to reopen it by summer

BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon acquires vintage neon sign, will restore it

BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon, Missouri, recently landed a vintage neon sign from another bowling alley in Kansas and will restore it. Bowlmor acquired the big bowling pin -- with "BOWLING" in neon letters -- that stood atop the All Star Lanes facility in Salina, Kansas. The pin measures 4 by 12 feet. All … Continue reading BowlMor Lanes RT 66 in Lebanon acquires vintage neon sign, will restore it