Landmarks Illinois recently released its annual list of its most endangered historic places in the state, and one of them has the dubious distinction of being labeled the "world's ugliest courthouse." It is the Will County Courthouse in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along a southbound alignment of Route 66. Landmarks Illinois wrote this about the Brutalist-style … Continue reading ‘World’s Ugliest Courthouse’ on Route 66 in Joliet placed on endangered historic places list
Brewery to convert historic OKC armory building into hotel, restaurant, events center
COOP Ale Works bought the historic armory building on Oklahoma City's 23rd Street corridor for $1.3 million and will convert it into a brewery, hotel, events center and restaurant. The Oklahoman newspaper reported the purchase included five adjacent buildings: The former Veterans Affairs building to the east will be converted into 12 villas with a basement … Continue reading Brewery to convert historic OKC armory building into hotel, restaurant, events center
Albuquerque officials sponsor a resolution to give $250,000 to improve Route 66
Two Albuquerque city councilors have introduced a resolution to earmark $250,000 to improve the city's 18 miles of Route 66, including the rehabilitation of iconic signs. City councilors Klarissa Pena and Renee Grout have sponsored the resolution. Rachael Hernandez, an aide to Pena, stated in an email the resolution first will go to the city's … Continue reading Albuquerque officials sponsor a resolution to give $250,000 to improve Route 66
Snippets of Oklahoma Route 66 shown on Times Square’s big video screens
Mary Beth Babcock, the owner of the Buck Atoms Cosmic Curios on Route 66 store in Tulsa, recently flagged a brief video shot by a friend in New York City. The footage shows several landmarks from Route 66 and other spots in the Sooner State that were displayed on the big video screens in Times … Continue reading Snippets of Oklahoma Route 66 shown on Times Square’s big video screens
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will undergo an extensive renovation and expansion in the next few years -- the first since the museum opened in 1938. The Joplin Globe reported: Letters from Will Rogers’ adolescence, glass slides of movie posters, studio contracts, movie scripts and costumes are just a few of the … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation
Josey Records’ animated neon sign in Tulsa is 40th to go through Route 66 grant program
Josey Records in Tulsa recently became the 40th entity that's benefited from the city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program. Josey Records, at 1020 S. Rockford Ave. at East 11th Street (aka Route 66), and its new, animated neon sign were featured by the Tulsa Route 66 Commission on social media: A few days later, the … Continue reading Josey Records’ animated neon sign in Tulsa is 40th to go through Route 66 grant program
Woody’s Wood-Fire Pizza in Joplin lands a new owner
A new owner has taken over Woody's Wood Fire Pizza Bar & Oven on the west side of Joplin, Missouri, and he's a fellow who owns two other restaurants in Joplin. Joplin Globe columnist Wally Kennedy reports Pete and Heidi Williams, who owned Woody's for more than 20 years, sold it to Damien Tiregol, owner … Continue reading Woody’s Wood-Fire Pizza in Joplin lands a new owner
Crash destroys hot dog business for Arizona man after Route 66 charity trip
A man from Arizona lost his mobile hot-dog business when a traffic accident destroyed it. According to Fox 10 in Phoenix, Richie Vaia, owner of Richie V's Chicago Dogs in Chandler, Arizona, had handed out free Chicago hot dogs along Route 66 as part of a plan to raise awareness for mental health. The trip … Continue reading Crash destroys hot dog business for Arizona man after Route 66 charity trip
Irv’s Burgers stand returns on Route 66 in West Hollywood
It took four years, but the Irv's Burgers stand and its longtime operator, Sonia Hong, have returned just one door from its previous location along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California. The Hong family, which had owned the historic restaurant since 2000, left its longstanding landmark location in 2013 due to a landlord dispute. LA … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers stand returns on Route 66 in West Hollywood
Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa offering rides in century-old Packard
The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is offering half-hour rides in a 100-year-old Packard car. The Tulsa World reported the 1922 Packard long had been on display at the museum on Sapulpa's west side, just off Route 66. This time, however, the museum will offer rides at $11 a head each … Continue reading Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa offering rides in century-old Packard