Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs

The City of Albuquerque this week announced it is providing a total of $432,000 in grants to restore or renovate historic signs along its Central Avenue (aka Route 66). The city's Department of Arts and Culture and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency have developed a Sign Improvement Program for owners of historic signs who can restore … Continue reading Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs

New Mexico Route 66 Association helps launch effort to repair hail-damaged neon in Tucumcari

The New Mexico Route 66 Association and Tucumcari MainStreet are joining forces to repair a dozen historic Route 66 neon signs in Tucumcari, New Mexico, that were damaged by a severe hailstorm in late May. In a news release, the association stated its damage assessment identified more than 60 pieces of broken neon tubing among … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association helps launch effort to repair hail-damaged neon in Tucumcari

Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield

A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city's south side. The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air … Continue reading Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield

Arizona Route 66 Association gives grants to Grand Canyon Caverns, Snow Cap Drive-In

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently announced it had awarded a $10,000 grant to Grand Canyon Caverns and a $5,000 grant to the Snow Cap Drive-In. The association stated in its newsletter the grant to Grand Canyon Caverns will help the Peach Springs landmark repair its elevator. The elevator broke down in October, … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association gives grants to Grand Canyon Caverns, Snow Cap Drive-In

Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque quietly opens; grand opening tentatively set for August

The Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side quietly opened to the public on June 21, the first day of summer, and it reportedly will hold a grand opening celebration sometime in August. The center at 12300 Central Ave. SW (aka Route 66) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until … Continue reading Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque quietly opens; grand opening tentatively set for August

Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project

Benjamin Moore & Co. recently donated a bunch of paint to the owner of the Road Runner's Retreat property so it could be used on its neon sign during the next workday on Oct. 21. Ryan Anderson, who runs the Facebook page for the defunct Route 66 restaurant near Chambless, California, said the donation came … Continue reading Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project

Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee

A severe storm Thursday night into Friday morning washed out a new bridge on Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee, New Mexico, prompting the closure of the road indefinitely. That's part of the 17-mile gravel-road alignment of Route 66 between the border ghost town of Glenrio and San Jon. An estimated seven inches … Continue reading Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee

First US Bike 66 sign dedicated on Tulsa’s Route 66

The first of 40 US Bike 66 signs coming to Tulsa was dedicated a few days ago by local and state officials near the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 shop. Among those attending the ceremony were Mayor G.T. Bynum, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. … Continue reading First US Bike 66 sign dedicated on Tulsa’s Route 66

Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman

A woman is leading a fundraising effort to build welcome arches on the east and west sides of Seligman, Arizona, on Route 66. Nancy Echeverria has raised about $23,000 so far for the project. She anticipates the arches will cost a total of $150,000. Her fundraisers have received the endorsement of the Seligman Chamber of … Continue reading Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman