2011 cost-share grant awards announced

Today, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced the awarding of 10 cost-share grants to Route 66 property owners for the 2011 fiscal year. Here's the listing, straight from the agency: Route 66 Motel sign and roof rehabilitation, Kingman, Ariz. ($10,319 federal grant, $10,319 match by owner) -- The Route 66 Motel has been a welcoming … Continue reading 2011 cost-share grant awards announced

New photo-op in Albuquerque

If you love the glow of neon, you'll find a new attraction among the many you'll find along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque. A re-created sign was installed on the side of the KiMo Theatre during a ceremony on June 3. Because the theater was originally opened in 1927, the street during the … Continue reading New photo-op in Albuquerque

Count on this as a signage trend

City officials in Carthage, Mo., want to ensure that Route 66 travelers don't get lost while driving the Mother Road through town. According to the Carthage Press: To help drivers stay on course, Short said the city is painting Route 66 logos on the pavement of Garrison and Oak Streets. “A couple of them are … Continue reading Count on this as a signage trend

Aztec Motel being torn down

The historic Aztec Motel along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque is being torn down, although its restored neon sign will remain indefinitely, said the property's co-owner. The tear-down started just a few days ago, judging by posts on the Duke City Fix, a collective blog based in Albuquerque. One of the blog's contributors … Continue reading Aztec Motel being torn down

Part of El Rancho complex will be razed

Part of the fire-damaged El Rancho Motel complex along Route 66 in Barstow, Calif., will be torn down in the coming months, according to the Desert Dispatch newspaper. A structure fire that started in the attic in May destroyed the Cedar Restaurant and Travel Store — part of the historic El Rancho hotel building — … Continue reading Part of El Rancho complex will be razed

It’s a sign

I've always liked churches that use cleverness or humor with their signs to help convey a serious message. Here's one from the Cuba United Methodist Church in Cuba, Mo. And, yes, the church is right next to the Mother Road. It's been there since 1928. (Photo courtesy of Jane Reed)

Talks over Round Barn billboard break down

Negotiations to move a controversial billboard near the historic Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla., have reached an impasse, reports the Edmond Sun. In September, Zoom Media bought a small parcel just east of the Round Barn and began to install a billboard. Claiming it was an eyesore, officials with the Arcadia Historical Society protested, even … Continue reading Talks over Round Barn billboard break down

Lights on at Highland Theatre

The historic Highland Theatre sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles was relighted during a ceremony Tuesday night, reported the Highland Park Patch. The link includes a video of the sign being relit. But here's a YouTube video of it, also: https://youtu.be/iBYsJXRX7kA The sign contains 502 light bulbs. Its restoration was paid for … Continue reading Lights on at Highland Theatre

Pearls of news items

Today, I was asked to attend the Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The event was organized by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. I made my pitch for the ample online news archives of Route 66 News. But, as is typical of such gatherings, I heard a few pearls of … Continue reading Pearls of news items

Historic rooftop sign will be relighted

The historic rooftop sign on the Highland Theatre in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles will be relighted at 7 p.m. May 17, according to a news release from the North Figueroa Association. The sign contains 502 light bulbs. Its restoration was paid for by donations and a cost-share grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Historic rooftop sign will be relighted