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

Kingman to dedicate new Route 66 drive-through sign on July 24

Prompted by popular demand during the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run, a Route 66 drive-through sign will be dedicated near the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, on the evening of July 24. A temporary drive-through "Historic Route 66" shield had been erected each year during the Fun Run at the end of the three-day … Continue reading Kingman to dedicate new Route 66 drive-through sign on July 24

Bel-Aire Motel sign in ends up at Route 66 Motorheads Bar in Springfield

The main neon sign for the defunct Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, now has resurfaced in a beer garden of the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in that city. The Facebook page for the Motorheads establishment announced the move of the sign: It previously had been reported in 2015 that Ron Metzger, who … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel sign in ends up at Route 66 Motorheads Bar in Springfield

Decopolis becomes 24th recipient of Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program

The Decopolis gift shop along East 11th Street recently became the 24th recipient of Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program. Here's an image of the new sign, courtesy of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission: Decopolis itself posted an image of the sign being installed on June 23: Tulsa's neon-sign grant program not only refurbishes … Continue reading Decopolis becomes 24th recipient of Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program

Neon on Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena apparently is restored

The neon tubing on the historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, apparently was restored in recent days. The preservation group Friends of the Rialto posted these photos on Facebook last week: Mosiac Church leases the property, and Friends of the Rialto remains hopeful the church eventually will screen movies there again. The church is … Continue reading Neon on Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena apparently is restored

Rt 66 Bowl in Chandler holds grand opening

The long-awaited Rt 66 Bowl entertainment center -- which reused a neon sign from the now-gone 66 Bowl from nearby Oklahoma City -- recently held its grand opening a few days ago in Chandler, Oklahoma. The complex at 920 E. First St. (aka Route 66) had been under construction for years. It contains a pizza … Continue reading Rt 66 Bowl in Chandler holds grand opening