Texas announces initiative to beef up Route 66 signage, add special community signs

The Old Route 66 Association of Texas, in partnership with the Big Texan Steak Ranch, will host a ceremonial sign unveiling at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at Slug Bug Ranch, 1414 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo, to celebrate the launch of a major sign restoration effort along the Route 66 corridor in the Texas Panhandle. The … Continue reading Texas announces initiative to beef up Route 66 signage, add special community signs

Route 66 centennial monument dedicated at Threatt Filling Station

A Route 66 centennial monument was dedicated Friday at the historic Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. Members of the surviving Threatt family, which have worked for the past several years to preserve the structure, attended the event. According to the Luther Register News, Edward Threatt Sr., who manages the station, announced … Continue reading Route 66 centennial monument dedicated at Threatt Filling Station

Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford

A giant fiberglass astronaut was erected on Monday along Route 66 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, as a way to highlight the town's substantial space heritage. Wichita Mountains Life posted this video of the spaceman being assembled: The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce also posted photos of the installation: The big astronaut serves as a salute to … Continue reading Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford

Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66

Local officials, including the Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, presided Friday over a groundbreaking ceremony to move the historic but long-abandoned Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, to Route 66 in town and restore the neon. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa reported that a state Route 66 revitalization grant is covering $700,000 of the $1 million … Continue reading Ground broken on project to move Chrysler Plymouth neon sign in Bristow to Route 66

Cole’s French Dip in downtown Los Angeles soon will close after 117 years

Cole's French Dip, a fixture in downtown Los Angeles for well over a century, will shutter permanently next month. Cole’s, one of two restaurants in the city that claim to have invented the French dip sandwich, will close on Aug. 3, reported the Orange County Register. The other is Philippe The Original, which continues to … Continue reading Cole’s French Dip in downtown Los Angeles soon will close after 117 years

Bow & Arrow Lodge in Albuquerque put up for sale for $1.425 million

The historic Bow & Arrow Lodge motel in Albuquerque has been placed on the market for $1.425 million. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the Route 66 motel was recently revitalized and reopened before being put up for sale. King Capital Commercial Real Estate is listing the 27-room motel at 8300 Central Ave. It … Continue reading Bow & Arrow Lodge in Albuquerque put up for sale for $1.425 million

Missouri governor signs law allowing state money to be used for Route 66 signage

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed and enacted a law allowing the state's Department of Transportation to use its money for Route 66 signs. The measure was part of House Bill 996. The bill contains a lot of interesting aspects, including adding more signs if necessary, markings for historical places and anti-theft measures for the signs. … Continue reading Missouri governor signs law allowing state money to be used for Route 66 signage

West Winds Motel in Erick named one of Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Places

The long-closed West Winds Motel along Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma, was named one of the Most Endangered Places by Preservation Oklahoma. Preservation Oklahoma has presented an annual Endangered Places list that "may increase restoration efforts and possibly ensure their longevity." The nonprofit organization seeks nominations from the public each October, and a team of … Continue reading West Winds Motel in Erick named one of Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Places

Glancy Motel sign to be restored, moved to Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

The neon sign for the torn-down Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, will be restored and moved to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) published a photo of a company moving the sign Monday from its longstanding site at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66). The newspaper reported … Continue reading Glancy Motel sign to be restored, moved to Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month

The city council of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, last week unanimously chose a contractor to build the Route 66 Park west of town so it would be ready by the highway's centennial next year. According to the Sapulpa Times, Magnum Construction's low bid of nearly $2.1 million won. The new park will include numerous points of interest … Continue reading Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month