The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
Category: Signs
Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative
Author Jim Hinckley of Kingman, Arizona, has done his share of tours and presentations about the history of Route 66. However, at 5 p.m. Jan. 16, the proceeds from his "Armchair Tour Along Route 66 -- The Main Street of America" at Beale Celebrations in Kingman and a walking tour in downtown will benefit the … Continue reading Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative
New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
Give credit where credit's due -- Soul City along 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa decided to go old-school with a new neon sign, and it succeeded. Soul City -- which is a combination art studio, jewelry store, vintage furnishings supplier, restaurant and nightclub -- recently installed this terrific-looking neon sign that's a great … Continue reading New neon at Soul City in Tulsa
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The glow of El Vado
Maybe by the year 2017, we'll get to see this again. Dan Uscian recently uploaded footage from June 1994 when the neon tubing of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque still glowed brightly, including its memorably designed sign. https://youtu.be/gKxg7BUSLX0 No one has seen this sight in more than a decade. A developer … Continue reading The glow of El Vado
Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
The Sixth Street Merchants Association in Amarillo, Texas, last week has added blue ribbons along its Route 66 signs to show support to the city's police department, according to several media reports. According to KFDA-TV: Along with the sign decor, the association also presented Chief of Police Robert Taylor with a plaque of appreciation. "We've … Continue reading Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
Pony Soldier Motel sign in Tucumcari removed
The big Pony Soldier Motel sign, the last vestige of a Route 66 motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, demolished years ago, was dismantled this week for a new business project on the site. A photo of the sign's dismantling was posted Thursday on the Tucumcari and Quay County Then and Now page on Facebook. Several readers on … Continue reading Pony Soldier Motel sign in Tucumcari removed
“Route 66 in Illinois”
The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
A neon sign for OK Used Cars that dates to about 1960 recently was restored and re-installed at Dunton Motors Dream Machines along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley reports the sign was relighted Friday. A recent news release from the Route 66 Association of Kingman says an official relighting ceremony is … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs
It took longer than expected, but the city of Albuquerque last week began installing its new directional tourism signs inspired by a Route 66 shield and a roadrunner, New Mexico's state bird. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, the sign installed in the Nob Hill section of town is one of six that will be installed … Continue reading Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs