The Oklahoma Historical Society awarded 37 entities a total of $520,000 in grants this year, including several with Route 66 ties. We mentioned yesterday the Totum Pole Park near Foyil received a $20,000 grant to help restore its Fiddle House. Here are the rest of them that are relevant to Route 66: Friends of the … Continue reading Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
Category: Theaters
Highland Theatre in Los Angeles closes after almost a century of operation
The Highland Theatre, which operated for 99 years along the Figueroa Street alignment of Route 66 in Los Angeles, unexpectedly closed its doors a few weeks ago. The EastsiderLA initially reported the shuttering of the theater, the last remaining movie house on Figueroa. On Thursday night, the theater was dark, the gate drawn closed, the … Continue reading Highland Theatre in Los Angeles closes after almost a century of operation
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding
The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau announced what it will do with more than $800,000 in state Route 66 funding. It includes an RV park and campground at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston; a mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield; a drive-through Route 66 shield at Country Classic Cars in Staunton; … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes
The Tascosa Drive-In in Amarillo, Texas, closed last Friday after more than 70 years in operation, leaving a nearly 600-mile gap between operating drive-in theaters on or near Route 66. The theater made the announcement of its closing just days before its final screening: In a follow-up message on Facebook, the owners stated they were … Continue reading Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes
Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year
Tesla is close to opening a 24-hour diner, drive-in theater and supercharger station along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, reported Forbes magazine. In a recent tweet, Tesla founder Elon Musk stated: "Our Tesla futuristic diner (Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging) in LA should be ready later this year." Forbes dug up more details: … Continue reading Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year
Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield undergoes ownership change
The historic Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield, Illinois, landed a new owner earlier this month, and the operators pledge no big changes. Gene Hebenstreit closed on the purchase of the Route 66 theater on April 14, according to his daughter Chelsey Semplowski during a phone interview Friday. The purchase price was not disclosed. Hebenstreit owns … Continue reading Skyview Drive-In theater in Litchfield undergoes ownership change
Plaque installed at Admiral Twin Drive-In to mark its role in “The Outsiders” movie
About 80 people watched the installation of a plaque Friday at the Admiral Twin Drive-In theatre in Tulsa to commemorate its use as a location in "The Outsiders" movie. The film also is marking the 40th anniversary of its release this year. That weekend, the Admiral Twin also screened "The Outsiders" and "Rumble Fish" -- … Continue reading Plaque installed at Admiral Twin Drive-In to mark its role in “The Outsiders” movie
Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa holds its grand opening
The historic Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, held its grand opening -- or, more accurately, grand reopening -- that included a classic-car show, a double feature and a marriage proposal. Here are photos from the big event: The theater will show "Back to the Future" Part 1 and 2 next weekend. Tickets are … Continue reading Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa holds its grand opening
Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa to hold its grand opening on April 15
The Tee Pee Drive-In theater along old Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will hold its grand opening on April 15 with a free car show before its movie screenings. The remaining tickets for the opening-night movie screenings of "The Super Mario Brothers Movie" and "Despicable Me" are fast running out. They can be ordered here. … Continue reading Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa to hold its grand opening on April 15