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
Category: Signs
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
Book review: “The Zeon Files”
"The Zeon Files" provides a colorful glimpse of Albuquerque's past with dozens of a company's working drawings of neon signs that once graced the Route 66 corridor decades ago. But what's most striking is the drawings are revealed as detailed and precise as any architectural rendering. The people who made these signs weren't just blue-collar guys who'd learned the trade of fire, electricity … Continue reading Book review: “The Zeon Files”
Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
Albuquerque will repair and convert to LED all of its Route 66-themed neon archways and signs by June, including a defective one on the city's west side has read "Route 6" instead of "Route 66" for almost a year. KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports the repairs and conversion will cost the city about $151,000. Repairs on one of the … Continue reading Albuquerque will fix its Route 66 neon signs by June
66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler
The venerable 66 Bowl sign that once graced Route 66 in Oklahoma City for 50 years has resurfaced in Chandler, Oklahoma, at a future sports and entertainment complex that will include, yes, a bowling alley. A Facebook post of the sign by longtime Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan caused a stir Monday. Marilyn Emde, director of … Continue reading 66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler
Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
The St. Louis suburb of Maplewood, Missouri, wants to use a giant letter M, plus other letters that stood on a theater's marquee, as a gateway into the city at Manchester Road, also known as an early alignment of Route 66 in the St. Louis area. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The 90-year-old porcelain … Continue reading Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
Joel Rayburn's GlassBoy Studios neon-lighting company -- also home to Tourist Trap Tees --opened for business last week in downtown Arcadia, Oklahoma, next to Route 66 and the town's famous Round Barn. The above photo is shows the business and the custom-painted Route 66 van driven by GlassBoy Studios' first customer, Greg Gaszak. The business is housed in the nearly-century-old Brooks … Continue reading GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
Kingman looking for donations for neon-sign park
The Route 66 Association of Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, is seeking donations of old neon signs and money to help set up neon parks along Route 66 in town, according to an article in the Kingman Daily Miner. The parks will be linked with other developments along the Route 66 corridor such as the Route … Continue reading Kingman looking for donations for neon-sign park