The owners of the landmark Skirvin HIlton hotel in downtown Oklahoma City are preparing to put it up for sale, with half of the proceeds likely going back to the city. Marcus Hotels and Resorts joined forces with the city to renovate and reopen the closed, century-old hotel about 15 years ago. Steve Lackmeyer at … Continue reading Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
Contents of Vernelle’s Motel near Arlington to be auctioned on Saturday
The contents of the closed Vernelle's Motel near Arlington, Missouri, will be auctioned Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24. The sale by Grovers Auction Service will include plenty of antiques, including a wringer washer, a Pepsi vending machine, metal chairs, and -- get this -- an honest-to-goodness telephone booth. The auction also will include the contents of … Continue reading Contents of Vernelle’s Motel near Arlington to be auctioned on Saturday
Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Documentary photographer Jeff Sonnabend of Arkansas recently completed a book, "The Route 66 Primer: An Uncropped View of the Mother Road," and he's launched an online fundraising campaign to help publish it. Sonnabend shot his photos in 2020, and the book aims to be a sort of time capsule of Route 66 near the current … Continue reading Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and its Beautification Committee are in the early stages of making historic McLain Rogers Park "more accessible and user friendly," according to a newspaper's report. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) talked to city manager Robert Johnston about the possible changes: “There is an obvious lack of handicap and ADA … Continue reading Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants
Bon Appetit last week named Ma Der Lao Kitchen in Oklahoma City one of the top 25 best new restaurants in the United States. Here's what the magazine said about the restaurant: After years spent cooking Japanese food around Oklahoma City, chef Jeff Chanchaleune has turned his considerable talents to the Lao food he grew … Continue reading Bon Appetit names Ma Der Lao of Oklahoma City one of the Top 50 best new restaurants
Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day. Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book "Route … Continue reading Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes
The Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, on Saturday set a Guinness world record by serving 266 different flavors of milkshakes. The event was part of the Mobil 1 "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" tour that includes a specially made Muffler Man in tow. The landmark Route 66 restaurant and others posted photos when the record … Continue reading Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman sets a Guinness world record with 266 different milkshakes
City of Clinton soon will seek bids on partial demolition of the Glancy Motel
The city's Economic Development Authority in Clinton, Oklahoma, is about to seek bids to demolish a sizable chunk of the closed Glancy Motel. The authority moved to fund the demolition of every building at the Glancy except the office and 17 units on the south half of the property, plus whatever remains of the Pop … Continue reading City of Clinton soon will seek bids on partial demolition of the Glancy Motel
Arizona Office of Tourism launches digital Route 66 Passport program
The Arizona Office of Tourism launched a digital Route 66 Passport program during the Labor Day weekend where participants can win prizes. The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona is a partner in the free program It requires no downloads of apps, and it includes a free digital map. The pass can be saved onto a … Continue reading Arizona Office of Tourism launches digital Route 66 Passport program
Database breached at La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe
The company that owns the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, said its computer database may have been breached last month, though it stopped short of stating that customer data was involved. The Business Journals of Albuquerque reported that Rik Blyth, La Fonda's vice president and general manager, said … Continue reading Database breached at La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe