Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield

Mel-O-Cream Donuts recently unveiled a new sign at its store along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The sign is shaped like a Route 66 shield doughnut (naturally). The store also announced during the event that it will have extended hours (until 6 p.m.) and new menu items, including ice cream. This particular Mel-O-Cream is at … Continue reading Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield

Route 66 Centennial Arch erected in Galena

A few days ago, a 100-foot-wide Centennial Arch was raised along Front Street (aka old Route 66) in Galena, Kansas, though it's not completely finished. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby came up with the idea for Route 66's centennial in 2026 almost 15 years ago, reported KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri. In fact, some of … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Arch erected in Galena

Rod’s Steak House in Williams reopens after years-long closure

The historic Rod's Steak House in Williams, Arizona, reopened Saturday under new ownership after it shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic several years ago. Kennelly Concepts spent months remodeling and restoring the Route 66 landmark, which dates to 1946. Williams Mayor Don Dent, former Rod's owner Lawrence Sanchez and Tom Kennelly celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony … Continue reading Rod’s Steak House in Williams reopens after years-long closure

35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City chose a public art design that features a huge neon boot, paying tribute to the iconic song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." As OKCTalk reported recently, the city will set aside $875,000 in voter-approved MAPS 4 sales-tax funds for the project. More details: The central element of Kicks 66 is a 35-foot-tall … Continue reading 35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City

New Route 66 sign project officially launched in Texas

The Old Route 66 Association of Texas and the Big Texan Steak Ranch launched the Texas Route 66 Signage Project on Thursday at Starlight Ranch, across from the Slug Bug Ranch in Amarillo. The collaboration, which includes the Texas Department of Transportation-Amarillo District, will restore historic Route 66 signage in communities from Glenrio to McLean. … Continue reading New Route 66 sign project officially launched in Texas

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