A Minnesota-based artist recently launched Explore and Preserve, an apparel and gift website that aims to give part of its profits to endangered Route 66 sites, including the Meramec River Bridge in Missouri. The historic Meramec River Bridge near Eureka, Missouri, requires more than a half-million dollars by the end of the year or the Missouri Department of Transportation tears … Continue reading Business seeks to help preserve Route 66 sites
Category: Signs
Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City soon will disappear
The historic Carlyle Motel along old Route 66 in west Oklahoma City has closed, and it seems it soon will make way for a used-car lot. A reader alerted me by email this week the motel's "driveway is now blocked, by a large truck that has a sign reading 'Cash for Cars.'" The current situation has existed … Continue reading Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City soon will disappear
Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station
A few Route 66 aficionados became alarmed when they saw in February the Richfield sign atop the restored Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, had vanished. Don't worry, folks. The sign's absence turns out to be temporary. The station's owners eventually will reinstall and lower by two feet the Richfield sign to satisfy the owner of … Continue reading Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station
Building with vintage sign collection is for sale
A commercial building along Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma -- along with its treasure trove of vintage signs -- is for sale on Craigslist for $85,000. View the listing for the building at 711 Commerce Ave. (map) here. The 1959 building takes up a city block and features more than 10,000 square feet of space. According to the … Continue reading Building with vintage sign collection is for sale
Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
An additional marquee for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, that was nixed because of its unpopularity is returning -- this time, to the back of the historic building. The theater's principals still are raising funds for the classic marquee. But they think the red-headed stepchild of the other marquee still can prove useful. The Herald-News reported: … Continue reading Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
Tulsa mayor creates Route 66 Commission
Tulsa's mayor on Friday announced the creation of a Route 66 Commission to promote tourism and economic development in the city. Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced the commission at the Soul City store, restaurant and nightclub on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. Bartlett chose it as the site of the announcement because it's a symbol of revitalization … Continue reading Tulsa mayor creates Route 66 Commission
Route 66-Lincoln Highway marker erected in Joliet
The city of Joliet, Illinois, long has been known by historians as boasting the intersection of two historic roads -- Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway. Now casual travelers will learn of this major crossroads with a new, 7-foot-tall marker at Chicago and Cass streets (map here) in Joliet, reported the Herald-News. Local officials see the … Continue reading Route 66-Lincoln Highway marker erected in Joliet
McDonald’s plans to build at old Tropics property
Any lingering hopes the long-closed Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, would be reopened were dashed last week with the news a McDonald's restaurant wants to build on the site. The Lincoln Courier reports a law firm made a request for a special-use permit to the city: The city announced Thursday that the Lincoln Planning Commission will … Continue reading McDonald’s plans to build at old Tropics property
Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
The city of Tulsa long had promised the clocks that once sat on top of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign would be replaced "when funding becomes available." Apparently the money is in the bank. The Tulsa World reports bids to replace the clocks will come due this week. The clocks stood at the very … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
Reporter finishes walk on Oklahoma City’s Route 66
Brianna Bailey, a reporter for The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City, recently embarked on a walking journey of Route 66 in that city for a story and a series of blog posts. She finished recently, and the last story is here. Some takeaways: --- We learn the beloved Carlyle Motel sign was purchased by Donald … Continue reading Reporter finishes walk on Oklahoma City’s Route 66