If you've watched any NCAA basketball tournament games on television in recent days, you might have spotted the Route 66 landmark Roy's gas station, cafe and motel in Amboy, California, in a Nissan ad. The Roy's footage, which features the Nissan Z sports car, begins about the 15-second mark; https://youtu.be/yR6mx_VkXEk I went back more than … Continue reading Roy’s of Amboy makes an appearance in new Nissan commercial
Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade
The more than century-old Crystal Cave north of Springfield, Missouri, will reopen Wednesday for the first time nearly in a decade after landing a new owner who made improvements to the property. The cave, with its 72 acres and an 1892 house, had been for sale since 2016, the Springfield News-Leader reports. Now, the cave … Continue reading Historic Crystal Cave near Springfield reopens this week in the first time in nearly a decade
Neon for Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan is relighted during a ceremony
The long-anticipated relighting of a neon sign and architectural neon for the historic Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan, Missouri, occurred Saturday evening with dozens of roadies in attendance. Here is a short video, posted on Facebook, by Douglas Rice of the lighting countdown: Property owner Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted a live feed from the festivities: … Continue reading Neon for Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan is relighted during a ceremony
Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC
The full music lineup recently was announced for the Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and Oklahoma City in June, which includes one intriguing act -- Son Volt. St. Louis-based Son Volt was one of essentially three bands born out of the 1993 breakup of a highly influential country-rock band, Uncle Tupelo. (The other two … Continue reading Music lineup announced for Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa and OKC
Oklahoma approves its part of Route 66 for U.S. Bicycle Route System
It appears Route 66 in Oklahoma is one step closer to being part of the U.S. Bicycle Route System. According to The Center Square: The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved funding to put signage along more than 400 miles of the bike route, according to Jared Schwennesen, a district manager with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation … Continue reading Oklahoma approves its part of Route 66 for U.S. Bicycle Route System
Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend
The historic Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami, Oklahoma, is playing host to Sunny Side Up Film Festival on Friday through Sunday after it was delayed for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizer Rock Whitehead talked to the Joplin Globe about the event: The festival is bringing to Northeast Oklahoma a diverse cast of filmmakers to show off … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend
Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the 1995 terrorist bombing that killed 168 people, will receive the final $1 million in a federal spending bill it was promised almost two decades ago. According to an article in The Oklahoman, the $1.5 trillion federal spending bill that primarily funds road and water projects … Continue reading Oklahoma City National Memorial gets final $1M it was promised almost 20 years ago
Bank of Avilla building in Avilla, Missouri, added to National Register of Historic Places
The century-old Bank of Avilla building, now a post office, in the Route 66 hamlet of Avilla, Missouri, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective March 7, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service, which administers the National Register program. The Joplin Globe had some … Continue reading Bank of Avilla building in Avilla, Missouri, added to National Register of Historic Places
Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants
The good news is a developer wants to spend plenty of money to preserve the historic and distinctive Donnay Building in Oklahoma City. The bad news is he will evict several tenants, including the HiLo Club. That's the gist by The Oklahoman newspaper, which reports Nick Preftakes is prepared to spend $3 million to bring … Continue reading Donnay Building in Oklahoma City finds new developer who will evict tenants
Nolan Stolz’s Route 66 trips for musical inspiration gets coverage by the Associated Press
A few months ago, we covered Nolan Stolz's efforts to uncover information about Benonine, Texas, and other ghost towns along Route 66 as part of his research for his forthcoming “Route 66 Suite” he’s composing for orchestras. The Associated Press recently distributed a story based in Kingman, Arizona, about Stolz, a South Carolina music professor … Continue reading Nolan Stolz’s Route 66 trips for musical inspiration gets coverage by the Associated Press