Elmo Quinn, the former owner of Quinn's Shell station along Route 66 in Bloomington, Illinois, died Wednesday. He was 82. Quinn was so beloved for his kindness, he was known as the "Mayor of Main Street," according to a story in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Quinn's welcoming personality and community insight helped establish his mayoral nickname, … Continue reading Elmo Quinn, owner of Quinn’s Shell station in Bloomington, dies at 82
Carthage city panel votes to tear down historic baseball stadium
The Carthage, Missouri, City Council Public Services Committee reluctantly decided recently to demolish the historic Carl Lewton Stadium, also known as The Rock, after contractors determined that saving it wasn't feasible. According to reporting by the Joplin Globe, the rock-facade stadium was built as a Works Progress Administration project in 1937 and was the home … Continue reading Carthage city panel votes to tear down historic baseball stadium
Original co-owner of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman dies
Scott Dunton, one of the original owners of the iconic Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner in Kingman, Arizona, has died. He was 72. Dunton's death was announced on Facebook last week by ROUTE Magazine, and the Original Chillin' on Beale Street group also reported it. Mr. D’z is housed in the former Kimo Cafe that opened … Continue reading Original co-owner of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman dies
Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum
Restored neon signs from the long-defunct Westward Hotel in St. Louis recently were installed in the National Museum of Transportation. A brief video of the signs was posted on the Tumblr account of museum director Terri McEachern. A screenshot: The installation is inside the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center. The Westward Hotel, which operated from … Continue reading Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum
OKPOP museum in Tulsa may open by late 2024
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in downtown Tulsa, known as OKPOP, has set a fundraising goal of $30 million so it can open to the public by late 2024. According to an article in the Tulsa World, the museum's foundation is assembling a campaign Cabinet of influential and noteworthy Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Legislature in 2015 … Continue reading OKPOP museum in Tulsa may open by late 2024
Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies
Carolyn Pendleton, a longtime advocate for the 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, died last week after being in declining health. She was 80. Pendleton was director of the Route 66 Visitor Center in Baxter Springs, housed in a former Phillips 66 gas station that was renovated about 15 years ago. In 2009, Pendleton … Continue reading Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies
City of Carthage loses lawsuit over the repair of its historic bridges
An appeals court in St. Louis ruled against the City of Carthage, Missouri, in its effort to get a railroad to repair its historic bridges, including the famous Oak Street Bridge (aka Whee Bridge) that carries Route 66. A three-judge panel with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that … Continue reading City of Carthage loses lawsuit over the repair of its historic bridges
Documentary about Route 66 women now being aired for free on TubiTV
Filmmaker Katrina Parks announced her three-part "Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road" and the documentary "The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound" now are available to audiences for free on the streaming platform TubiTV. According to a news release from Parks: These films, which have been broadcast through American Public Television, explore … Continue reading Documentary about Route 66 women now being aired for free on TubiTV
Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
The historic Tower Theatre along Route 66 in Oklahoma City recently saw layoffs and a big management shake-up. The Lost Ogle, an OKC-based website that has broken a number of big stories over the years, reported at least nine people at the theater were laid off, others were forced to reapply for their jobs, and … Continue reading Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore reopens after months of renovations
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, reopened this week after more than four months of renovations. According to Fox23 in nearby Tulsa, the museum closed in November to undergo a conversion to an LED lighting system. Executive director Wayne McCombs said they are excited about the new lighting system they were … Continue reading J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore reopens after months of renovations