The popular Classen Grill eventually will reopen as the historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City undergoes extensive and long-needed renovations. Steve Lackmeyer's recent article in The Oklahoman newspaper provides a lot of details about what is happening to the Donnay, which for a short time was endangered by a proposed Braum's ice cream parlor development. … Continue reading Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC
Three will be inducted next month into Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame
Three entities will be inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame in Lebanon, Missouri, on Jan. 28, including local leaders who lobbied 100 years ago to route the future U.S. 66 through Lebanon. Other inductees will be a family that ran a gas station along the highway for decades and a couple … Continue reading Three will be inducted next month into Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame
U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Three U.S. senators announced last week they proposed legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, though its prospects for passage in the lame-duck session of Congress are uncertain. U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, all Republicans, stated in a news release they introduced … Continue reading U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
The neon sign for the defunct Mountain Lodge motel just east of Albuquerque is being added to the new Route 66 Visitor Center on the city's west side. According to KRQE-TV, motel owner Owen St. Germain donated the sign to the visitor center. It is being refurbished by the Build it Right construction company of … Continue reading Mountain Lodge sign will be on display soon at Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens as Fleur STL brunch spot
The historic Eat-Rite Diner near downtown St. Louis recently reopened as Fleur STL, a brunch restaurant. Local chef Tim Eagan, who acquired the building not long after it closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced it would be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. His Facebook post showed a sample … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens as Fleur STL brunch spot
Memorial dedicated to Joplin tornado victims of 2011
A 17-foot-tall sculpture was dedicated Wednesday to the people who died in the 2011 tornado that ravaged Joplin, Missouri. The Joplin Memorial Run sculpture bears the names of the 161 dead from the EF5 twister. It is located at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex at Joplin Avenue and Seventh Street (aka Route … Continue reading Memorial dedicated to Joplin tornado victims of 2011
Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow
A section of old Route 66 between Barstow, California, and Amboy, California, that was closed for several years due to bridge washouts is open again. The Facebook accounts of the California Historic Route 66 Association and Roy's Motel & Cafe this week both reported the road being reopened by San Bernardino County, which holds jurisdiction. … Continue reading Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow
Recent example of Uranus Missouri shows why Route 66 sites shouldn’t ignore tour buses
The Uranus Missouri complex near St. Robert, Missouri, recently hosted 17 tour buses in 12 days -- another sign that Route 66 sites should ignore that tourism sector at its own risk. A news release earlier this month contained a smidge of Uranus owner Louie Keen's usual and unapologetic juvenile humor: The industry has been … Continue reading Recent example of Uranus Missouri shows why Route 66 sites shouldn’t ignore tour buses
Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
A number of Route 66 landmarks recently have been decorated for the Christmas holiday. First, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, held its annual "lights on" ceremony on Sunday night. As these photos from Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin shows, not only was the whale lighted, but so was the nearby ark. In … Continue reading Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
Structural engineer says Joplin Union Depot’s condition is good
A structural engineer who recently assessed the Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, reported that the bones of the long-abandoned building are good. According to the Joplin Globe, Lori Haun, director of the Joplin Downtown Alliance, told the city council the engineer who specializes in restoring historic properties “felt very confident it could be rehabilitated.” … Continue reading Structural engineer says Joplin Union Depot’s condition is good