Retiring Public Radio Tulsa director plans books on Route 66 motels, theaters in Tulsa

Pierce Pennant Terminal in Tulsa Steve Clem, operations director at Public Radio Tulsa for 11 years, retired last week from his post and is planning two books about defunct theaters and Route 66 motels in that city. During a Q&A session with his now-former employer, Clem revealed about projects he has in the hopper: PRT: … Continue reading Retiring Public Radio Tulsa director plans books on Route 66 motels, theaters in Tulsa

66 Drive-In in Carthage will be one of the venues on TobyMac, Newsboys tour

In another sign drive-in theaters are becoming an alternative for music tours during the coronavirus pandemic, Christian music artists TobyMac and Newsboys have booked shows at 16 drive-ins this summer, including at the 66 Drive-In in Carthage, Missouri. The all-ages show at the 66 Drive-In will be July 11, gates opening at 6:30 p.m., and … Continue reading 66 Drive-In in Carthage will be one of the venues on TobyMac, Newsboys tour

Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will conduct a survey of historic assets along Route 66, but the Tulsa Route 66 Commission wants to conduct its own survey that includes the city's older alignment near downtown. According to Public Radio Tulsa: The state is taking an inventory of structures like movie theaters, gas stations and … Continue reading Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment

66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Sky View Drive-In in Litchfield will open Friday

The 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Missouri, and Sky View Drive-In in Litchfield, Illinois, will open belatedly for the season Friday after the coronavirus delayed it by several weeks. According to its website, the 66 Drive-In will screen "Doolittle" and "I Still Believe." The 66 will be the only movie venue in that part of … Continue reading 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Sky View Drive-In in Litchfield will open Friday

Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield will reopen this weekend

The Route 66 Drive-In theater in Springfield, Illinois, that was closed for several weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic will reopen Friday and possibly more nights the following week. The theater posted some of the details on its Facebook page Sunday: Tickets will have to be presold and will be done through our website. My … Continue reading Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield will reopen this weekend

Route 66 Drive-In in Illinois won’t be allowed to open even for church services

The Route 66 Drive-In theater in Springfield, Illinois, was supposed to open for the season Friday. However, with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, it will remain closed -- even for churches that want to hold services there. Adding church services to the ban on drive-in theater use is notable because in neighboring Missouri, the 66 Drive-In … Continue reading Route 66 Drive-In in Illinois won’t be allowed to open even for church services

Route 66 Movie Theatre in Webb City sells concessions during its closure

Score one for resourcefulness: The Route 66 Movie Theatre in downtown Webb City, Missouri, is selling items from its concession stand -- including fresh-popped popcorn -- while the venue remains closed during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Joplin Globe newspaper in nearby Joplin: “We really developed the idea based on our desire for some … Continue reading Route 66 Movie Theatre in Webb City sells concessions during its closure

66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage used for church services during outbreak

The 66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage, Missouri, is being used for area church services, including Easter Sunday, while the facility remains closed for movie screenings. The theater tentatively planned to reopen for the season on April 17. However, owners Nathan and Amy McDonald told the Joplin Globe they wouldn't screen movies again until the U.S. … Continue reading 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage used for church services during outbreak

Ariston Cafe, World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Wildey Theatre named Local Legends by tourism bureau

The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau of southwest Illinois recently named the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville and Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville as Local Legends during the bureau's tourism summit. The summit was held at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and attended by about 250 people, the Alton Telegraph reported. … Continue reading Ariston Cafe, World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Wildey Theatre named Local Legends by tourism bureau

Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office is asking for proposals to survey historic properties along Route 66 in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Tulsa County includes the city of Tulsa along with the communities of Oakhurst and Red Fork along Route 66. Oklahoma County includes Oklahoma City, Bethany, Edmond, Arcadia and Luther along Route 66. The … Continue reading Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties