Renovations on an old building in downtown Pontiac, Ill., for the soon-to-open International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum revealed a long-forgotten wall sign, or "ghost sign," as they're frequently called. A news release from Pontiac Tourism tells the story: According to Milt Hanson, the city’s Building Maintenance Supervisor, as his crew were preparing to … Continue reading Renovation reveals a ghost
Category: Signs
Cyrus Avery Plaza vandalized again
The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa has again been vandalized, including the LED-lighted Route 66 shield on the bridge, reported the Tulsa World. Whitaker said public works crews sent out to review the damage also found graffiti on two concrete pillars supporting the skywalk. In the plaza, 14 of the 16 ground-level lights that … Continue reading Cyrus Avery Plaza vandalized again
Enchanted welcome
A few weeks ago, the state of New Mexico erected this "Welcome to New Mexico -- Land of Enchantment" structure over westbound Interstate 40 near the Glenrio Welcome Center, close to the Texas border. Many Route 66ers don't continue into New Mexico on I-40, opting for the gravel road that was old Route 66 leading … Continue reading Enchanted welcome
Notes from the road
The "East Meets West" sculpture at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza at Riverside Drive and Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Tulsa is inching closer to being installed. Dennis Whitaker at the city of Tulsa gave me this update, via e-mail: [T]he artist is finished with the car group and the foundry has already cast … Continue reading Notes from the road
Skating rink on Route 66 will be converted into a church
The closed Starlite Skate Rink on Route 66 north of Sapulpa, Okla., will be converted into the new home of Sapulpa Life Church effective Sunday, reported the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The church is tailored more to young people, so it's possible the Skate Rink could be used at times for the purpose for which it … Continue reading Skating rink on Route 66 will be converted into a church
Here’s your sign
A few months ago, we tracked down who had painted hundreds, perhaps thousands of distinctive signs along the Route 66 corridor from the western Texas Panhandle to eastern New Mexico. It was Rudolph Gonzales, who has crafted his work along the Mother Road since the mid-1950s and is one of the last to do so … Continue reading Here’s your sign
Notes from the road
If you're traveling the Mother Road this week, you may have to make other plans for the midsection. As this map from the National Weather Service shows, the Route 66 corridor is under a winter storm warning all the way from about Springfield, Mo., to Gallup, N.M. -- much of it freezing rain. Authorities closed … Continue reading Notes from the road
Motel living
Here's a nice video of the sights and sounds of two Route 66 icons -- the Wigwam Motel of Holbrook, Ariz., and the Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari, N.M.
Tulsa district proposes rules to allow rooftop signs
Tulsa's Blue Dome District, of which an older alignment of Route 66 goes through, wants a change in the city's ordinances that would allow rooftop signs in the district's restaurants and bars. Elliot Nelson, owner of McNellie's Public House and El Guapo Mexican Cantina in the district, says the rooftop signs would help those businesses … Continue reading Tulsa district proposes rules to allow rooftop signs
Notes from the road
The Pontiac Walldog Committee, which has helped beautify downtown Pontiac, Ill., with a series of murals and related festivals, now wants to open a Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, according to news release from the city's tourism department. The primary purpose of the museum is to pay homage to the men and … Continue reading Notes from the road