The historic Riviera Restaurant on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., reopened on New Year's Eve. Check out this story in the Batavia Sun about it. However, there is one potential snag that will be worth watching: The new owner is dealing with a request from the Gardner Fire Department to put in an expensive commercial … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Signs
Route 66 kiosk signs in Arizona vandalized
Special Route 66 signs at a kiosk north of Golden Shores, Ariz., were vandalized and will cost $2,000 to replace, according to a report by the Associated Press. The interpretive signs at the kiosk were erected less than two years ago. The signs were damaged by gun blasts. The Bureau of Land Management is asking … Continue reading Route 66 kiosk signs in Arizona vandalized
Cruise the Neon Road
KNME-TV in New Mexico has just posted on YouTube its award-winning "The Neon Road" documentary from 2003. It's about 25 minutes, but well worth your time.
The remaking of Tulsa’s Meadow Gold sign
Here's a cool excerpt from the film "Tulsa A to Z" about the refurbishment of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign, which can be found at near Peoria Avenue and 11th Street (aka Route 66). "Tulsa A to Z" is the latest edition from Jack Frank's acclaimed Tulsa history film series.
Sunset Motel sign is relit
The beautiful porcelain sign for the Sunset Motel along route 66 near Villa Ridge, Mo., saw its neon relit for the first time in about 30 years on Saturday, reported the Route 66 Association of Missouri's blog. About half the money to restore the sign came from a cost-share grant by the Route 66 Corridor … Continue reading Sunset Motel sign is relit
“End of the Trail” sign dedicated at Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier was dedicated Tuesday morning as the official western terminus of Route 66 during a ceremony with a replica of an "End of the Trail" sign that once graced the nearby intersection of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard for years. A caravan of vintage cars started from the Santa Monica and … Continue reading “End of the Trail” sign dedicated at Santa Monica Pier
Meet at the Pier
The Santa Monica (Calif.) Daily Press has a preview story today about the ceremony Wednesday morning that will name the Santa Monica Pier as the official western end of Route 66. The actual endings of U.S. 66 was in downtown Los Angeles, then later at Olympic and Lincoln boulevards in Santa Monica (about a mile … Continue reading Meet at the Pier
“End of Trail” sign to be unveiled at Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western terminus of Route 66, will be unveiling an "End of Trail" sign at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Jim Conkle of the Route 66 Alliance. Across from the sign will the the 66 to Cali kiosk run by Dan Rice, who sells American-made apparel with a Route 66 theme. … Continue reading “End of Trail” sign to be unveiled at Santa Monica Pier
A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Federal grants awarded for Route 66 tourism
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced several federal grants that will go toward tourism, including Route 66 sites. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, $395,000 will be used to erect "experience hubs" and signs for Route 66 from East St. Louis to Chicago. Also, in New Mexico, the state will receive $365,000 in federal funds to … Continue reading Federal grants awarded for Route 66 tourism