The historic but long-closed Road Runner’s Retreat complex on Route 66 near Chambless, California, is hosting its annual cleanup weekend on Oct. 16-17. According to the High Desert Daily: Former owner Duke Dotson will be on hand to share stories of his childhood growing up at Road Runner’s Retreat during Route 66’s heyday. The 1960’s Googie-Style … Continue reading Volunteer cleanup effort at Road Runner’s Retreat set for Oct. 16-17
Category: Signs
Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Many times, I've driven by the neon "Lexington" sign that stands along Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, and thought: "I wonder how long that sign has been there?" That question was answered this week during the "How Time Flies" featurette in The Pantagraph in nearby Bloomington: Aug. 31, 1946: Lexington has a new neon sign along … Continue reading Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
A charitable trust has awarded more than $45,000 to restore the marquee neon at the historic Redland Theatre in downtown Clinton, Oklahoma. The M.T. and Helen Gholston Charitable Trust gave $45,765 to the Clinton Industrial Foundation, which will oversee the distribution of the money during the sign's restoration, according to the Clinton Daily News. According … Continue reading Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, led by state tourism chief and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, is considering building a Route 66 neon park at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Those details emerged in a Facebook post by the Oklahoma-based Billboard Museum, which hopes to eventually build its own facility in the OKC … Continue reading Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association has launched an online fundraising campaign to restore the Spring River Inn neon sign that once stood near the long-defunct restaurant in Riverton, Kansas. The campaign was launched Thursday on GoFundMe.com, with a goal of $10,000. The sign is estimated to be about 60 years old. More about the … Continue reading Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
Co-owner says Hill Top Motel in Kingman will reopen in one to two months
The co-owner of the Hill Top Motel in Kingman, Arizona, said the Route 66 landmark will reopen in one or two months after a lengthy rehabilitation of the site. I was prompted to contact co-owner Makenzie Baker after seeing photos and a comment thread (which I can't find now) about the apparent restoration of the … Continue reading Co-owner says Hill Top Motel in Kingman will reopen in one to two months
Tulsa Route 66 Commission requests $1.5M in federal funds for new signs, more parking
The chief of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission is requesting $1.5 million in funds from the coronavirus-related American Rescue Plan for new directional signs and more parking spaces along Route 66 in the city. Ken Busby, CEO of the commission, explained his reasoning to KTUL-TV in Tulsa: "One of the things that we still hear … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission requests $1.5M in federal funds for new signs, more parking
Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Six projects, including four historic sites, will receive more than $103,000 in cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridon Preservation Program under the auspices of the National Park Service. The awards first were revealed Thursday in a social media post for the Road Runner's Retreat complex, which received a grant, near Chambless, California. Here are … Continue reading Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Kingman dedicates Route 66 drive-through shield
The Kingman Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, on Saturday night unveiled its new, lighted Route 66 drive-through shield during a ceremony, and dozens of classic-car drivers availed themselves of it. Smiley Ward posted dozens of photos from the event: Here's a video from the scene by the Kingman Visitor Center. If it won't allow embedding, … Continue reading Kingman dedicates Route 66 drive-through shield
Louie Keen shows mockup for future neon sign wall at Uranus Missouri
Louie Keen, the self-proclaimed "mayor" of the Uranus Missouri near St. Robert, Missouri, recently posted an artist's rendering of a neon-sign wall planned for the complex. Keen stated on Facebook that "the wall will be painted and each of the objects on the wall are big neon pieces." "We believe this will be a huge … Continue reading Louie Keen shows mockup for future neon sign wall at Uranus Missouri