A bunch of Route 66 business owners or advocates of that historic highway gathered this week at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City for the first Route 66 Convention in that state. The event was shepherded by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also runs the state's tourism department and has made boosting visitorship in … Continue reading Route 66 stakeholders trade ideas at Oklahoma’s first Route 66 Convention
Category: Signs
Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa
A fourth neon sign that's new or restored along Route 66 in Tulsa came to life last week, this time at U.S. Studio 66. U.S. Studio 66 is at 5202 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), just west of the historic Desert Hills Motel. Other signs that are new or have been restored are Billy … Continue reading Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa
Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them
In a time when Route 66 advocates are discussing the disappearance of historic neon signs, an Albuquerque artist has taken note of that issue and is doing her own small bit of preservation -- painting images of those signs in case they vanish. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports about self-proclaimed "painter of history" Cheryl Godin: “My … Continue reading Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them
Roy’s sign in Amboy glows again for the first time in 30 years
The iconic Roy's Motel & Cafe neon sign in Amboy, California, glowed for the first time in at least 30 years during a relighting ceremony Saturday night. The event coincided with the Great Amboy Fly-In, Part 2, where private planes use Amboy's nearby airstrip. Here a video of the countdown to the relighting at twilight … Continue reading Roy’s sign in Amboy glows again for the first time in 30 years
Neon sign at Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge taken down for safekeeping
A collector of advertising, including neon signs, reported Wednesday the neon letters and other elements from the sign of the long-closed Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri, had been removed, leaving nothing but stone frame and foundation. However, the president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri reported the sign was taken down "for its … Continue reading Neon sign at Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge taken down for safekeeping
Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades
The long-dormant Sonrise Donuts sign that once stood along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, glowed to life Thursday for the first time in decades. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield restored the double-sided sign after the city purchased it in an online auction for $22,000 in December 2018. The signs sat on a rooftop at 1101 … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades
Kaiser-Frazer neon sign near Mitchell disappears
A rare Kaiser-Frazer neon sign that stood for decades along Route 66 in Mitchell, Illinois, recently disappeared, and its whereabouts remain unknown. The sign was unique in that it was repainted and neon tubing installed to advertise the Town & Country Motel. But the paint job eventually peeled off, revealing the porcelain Kaiser-Frazer sign underneath. … Continue reading Kaiser-Frazer neon sign near Mitchell disappears
New neon goes up at Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa
The new neon lighting at the landmark Tally's Good Food Cafe in Tulsa went up a few days ago. Tally's new neon was the beneficiary of the city of Tulsa's Route 66 neon-sign grant program. A grant pays up to $10,000 for 50% of the cost of a new neon sign or restoring an old … Continue reading New neon goes up at Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa
Route 66 enthusiast buys Le Brun Motel neon sign from Needles
A Route 66 fan from Michigan recently purchased the neon sign from the defunct Le Brun Motel that once stood in Needles, California, and plans to give it to a Route 66 neon museum in Missouri once he finishes some work on it. Scott Sheehan revealed the purchase in an Instagram post. He wrote, in … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiast buys Le Brun Motel neon sign from Needles
Tulsa adding 29 historical markers along Route 66
Tulsa will erect a total of 29 historical markers along Route 66 in the next few weeks, continuing that city's embrace of its Mother Road heritage. The markers first were envisioned back in 2005 as part of the original Vision 2025 sales tax for Route 66 projects. The markers will cost $111,000, which included about … Continue reading Tulsa adding 29 historical markers along Route 66