Firefighters put out a blaze at the abandoned Morning Star Motel in Amarillo, Texas, that was believed to have been started by homeless people. The motel also is known as the Ranchotel or Ranch-O-Tel. According to several local media outlets, including the Amarillo Globe-News, fire from one of the rooms of the motel at 2501 … Continue reading Fire reported at abandoned Morning Star Motel, aka Ranchotel, in Amarillo
Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
The Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border suddenly is showing life again for the first time in more than 40 years. Glenrio Properties bought land on both sides of the border in the town and plan to build a coffee shop, gift shop, RV park and possibly a motel using … Continue reading Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
Yet another neon sign erected along Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor
Tulsa Time Dental Design at East 11th Street (aka Route 66) and New Haven Avenue was the latest beneficiary of the city's Route 66 neon sign grant program. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission posted an image of the new neon sign a few days ago: Dennis Whitaker, who is part of the city's planning office, … Continue reading Yet another neon sign erected along Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor
Owner of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa to open an Airbnb across the street
The owner of the Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa soon will open a similarly themed Airbnb across the street so tourists can stay in the neighborhood overnight. Danny Boy O'Connor, owner of the house and museum, will call the Airbnb site at 728 N. St. Louis Ave. the Greaser Hideout, a reference to where Ponyboy … Continue reading Owner of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa to open an Airbnb across the street
Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge
The Lebanon (Missouri) Parks Department officially is moving forward with a feasibility study to see whether it can move part of Route 66's endangered Gasconade River Bridge to Boswell Park, though it remains unclear whether the span will be torn down. According to a report by KRMS radio, the cost to move the bridge isn’t … Continue reading Lebanon Parks moves forward with a feasibility study on moving parts of Gasconade River Bridge
1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Tucumcari, New Mexico, never was a huge town. Its population never surpassed 9,000, according to the U.S. Census records. Regardless, Tucumcari during its heyday was home to dozens of neon signs, especially along its Route 66 corridor. Even now, about 25 neon signs still exist along the historic highway, in various states of repair. Several … Continue reading 1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
‘Yellow brick road’ marker added to old Route 66 at Kansas-Missouri border
Other than the nearby old State Line Bar, nothing vividly marked the line for Kansas and Missouri on old Route 66 for many years. Until now. The City of Galena, Kansas, and the Joplin Special Road District on Tuesday completed a project on old Route 66 that unmistakably delineates that border. They placed bricks in … Continue reading ‘Yellow brick road’ marker added to old Route 66 at Kansas-Missouri border
Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo
A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo
Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, along with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, a few days ago announced they are launching a Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program as part of the highway's centennial celebrations culminating in 2026. According to a news release from the partnership: The Road Ahead was awarded a $250,000 grant … Continue reading Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program
Jim Ross’ Deep Tracks Route 66 project is going entirely online on his new website
Route 66 historian Jim Ross put his sprawling, long-gestating Deep Tracks project that details all known Route 66 alignments onto his newly launched JimRoss66.com website. JimRoss66.com also serves as an overview of a career that includes the database from the Route 66 bridges project that was turned into the "Route 66 Crossings" book, Ozark Trail … Continue reading Jim Ross’ Deep Tracks Route 66 project is going entirely online on his new website