Albuquerque officials took part in a "topping out" ceremony Wednesday for the Route 66 Visitors Center construction project on Nine Mile Hill on the city's west side. "Topping out" is where the final beam and highest point in the building is installed. During the ceremony, attendees signed the beam that will be encased in the … Continue reading ‘Topping out’ ceremony held for Route 66 Visitors Center project in Albuquerque
Arizona 66 Association awards grant to repurpose Holbrook motel into veterans housing
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona awarded a $10,000 grant to Veteran Services USA to "repurpose and renew historic elements" of the former America's Best Value Inn motel at 720 Navajo Blvd. in Holbrook, Arizona. A news release from Veteran Services USA stated: Motel owner Veteran Services USA intends to pursue several pre-development steps that will elevate … Continue reading Arizona 66 Association awards grant to repurpose Holbrook motel into veterans housing
Tenant reopens Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena to public since renovations
The new tenant of the historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, reopened the venue to the public Sunday after extensive renovations. The Friends of the Rialto, a group that has served as a guardian of the theater, posted this message after posting 42 (!) photos from the open house: On Sunday August 29, Mosaic … Continue reading Tenant reopens Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena to public since renovations
Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Many times, I've driven by the neon "Lexington" sign that stands along Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, and thought: "I wonder how long that sign has been there?" That question was answered this week during the "How Time Flies" featurette in The Pantagraph in nearby Bloomington: Aug. 31, 1946: Lexington has a new neon sign along … Continue reading Neon sign just outside Lexington marks its 75th anniversary
Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
A charitable trust has awarded more than $45,000 to restore the marquee neon at the historic Redland Theatre in downtown Clinton, Oklahoma. The M.T. and Helen Gholston Charitable Trust gave $45,765 to the Clinton Industrial Foundation, which will oversee the distribution of the money during the sign's restoration, according to the Clinton Daily News. According … Continue reading Trust gives $45,000 grant to restore sign at Redland Theatre in Clinton
Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, led by state tourism chief and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, is considering building a Route 66 neon park at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Those details emerged in a Facebook post by the Oklahoma-based Billboard Museum, which hopes to eventually build its own facility in the OKC … Continue reading Route 66 neon sign park proposed at Oklahoma History Center in OKC
Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum
The Chelsea Area Historical Society wants to restore and convert the historic Bank of Chelsea building in downtown Chelsea, Oklahoma, into a museum. The society held a community meeting at the Chelsea Civic Center on Thursday to discuss funding options and the building's importance. According to a historical society official contacted through Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum
Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association has launched an online fundraising campaign to restore the Spring River Inn neon sign that once stood near the long-defunct restaurant in Riverton, Kansas. The campaign was launched Thursday on GoFundMe.com, with a goal of $10,000. The sign is estimated to be about 60 years old. More about the … Continue reading Kansas Route 66 group launches fundraiser to restore Spring River Inn neon sign
New Roger Miller mural goes up in Erick
An artist recently completed a large mural paying tribute to late musician Roger Miller on a building along Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma, that used to house his museum. Brian Lewis of Greensboro, North Carolina, painted the mural on the building on the southeast corner of the intersection of Roger Miller Boulevard (aka Route 66) … Continue reading New Roger Miller mural goes up in Erick
City of Tulsa readies new request for proposals for Route 66 center
The City of Tulsa is preparing to issue a new request for proposals to build a Route 66 interpretive center and commercial complex at Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) at the Arkansas River. The Tulsa World had the new details about another public-private proposal: “We want a project that is viable and self-sustaining and is … Continue reading City of Tulsa readies new request for proposals for Route 66 center