Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari reopens for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years

The historic Odeon Theatre in downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, recently opened its doors for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic and needed repairs. The 1935 theater celebrated its reopening last Thursday with a free screening of the 2016 Oscar-nominated crime drama "Hell or High Water," which partially was filed … Continue reading Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari reopens for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years

Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri

Voters on the Yelp! review app recently named Carl's Drive-In restaurant in Brentwood, Missouri, as serving the best cheeseburger in the state. Carl's, which has stood along the original Manchester Road alignment of Route 66 for more than 60 years, was the only such restaurant on that historic highway to be bestowed the honor this … Continue reading Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri

City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

The City of Lockport, Illinois, a few days ago erected a Route 66 monument sign that celebrates the city's dubious heritage with the highway and Route 66's approaching centennial. According to the Homer Glen-Lockport Patch, the monument was placed on State Street near the Metra lot. "To commemorate Lockport’s role in the Route 66 centennial, … Continue reading City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

Boots Court in Carthage opens five of 13 rooms; more opening in October

The Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, has reopened five of 13 rooms, and more likely will open by the city's Maple Leaf Festival in mid-October. A recent report in the Joplin Globe provided the latest update by the Carthage-based Boots Court Foundation to restore the Route 66 landmark to its old glory: Kim Bausinger, … Continue reading Boots Court in Carthage opens five of 13 rooms; more opening in October

23rd edition of Route 66 On the Air Special Event takes place Sept. 10-18

The annual Route 66 On the Air Special Event will take place from Sept. 10 through Sept. 18 via the amateur radio airwaves across the nation. The event commemorates the history of the Mother Road that connects the east and west United States, according to a news release. Now in its 23rd year, the Northern … Continue reading 23rd edition of Route 66 On the Air Special Event takes place Sept. 10-18

Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot

The Downtown Joplin Alliance recently announced it given was $5,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to pay for an engineer to assess the long-abandoned Union Depot building. According to the Joplin Globe: That engineer’s report will enable the alliance to formulate more targeted marketing aimed at preserving and developing the 110-year-old train station.The … Continue reading Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot

Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award

Ramona Lehman, the longtime co-owner of the Route 66 landmark Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will receive a Community Achievement Award from that city's chamber of commerce in November. According to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, Lehman will be honored on Nov. 3 at the chamber's annual Wall of Honor Banquet. She was … Continue reading Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award

Gasoline Alley Classics opening next week near Route 66 in Sapulpa

Gasoline Alley Classics, a manufacturer of gameroom, garage and automobile decor, will open a shop next weekend near Route 66 in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by Gasoline Alley's grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday during the city's annual Route 66 Blowout automobile show.  The location at … Continue reading Gasoline Alley Classics opening next week near Route 66 in Sapulpa

NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program

Northern Arizona University last week received a federal grant of $189,860 for its "Racialized Spaces on Route 66" for educators. According to a National Endowment for the Humanities news release, the grant will be used for "a combined virtual and residential program for 72 K–12 educators on the significance of race, place, and movement to … Continue reading NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program

Arizona Route 66 Association offering grants of up to $10,000

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced this week it has opened its biannual cost-share grant season in which applicants could earn up to $10,000. The association is accepting grant applications until Sept. 30. Businesses, chambers of commerce, and community organizations are encouraged to apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds. Projects must … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association offering grants of up to $10,000