Next month's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, was canceled Monday due to concerns about an upturn of COVID-19 cases in the region. The festival, which typically draws between 60,000 and 80,000 people, was axed for a second straight year because of the pandemic. It had been scheduled for Aug. 13-14, including a … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled due to COVID-19 upsurge
City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot
After more than a decade of tentative plans, the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently agreed to spend $1 million to rehabilitate its long-decaying railroad depot in the Railyard. According to an article in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, the city had been discussing a face-lift for the century-old depot since 2009. And … Continue reading City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot
City plans to reassemble a Lurvey’s Court cabin into a visitors center
A Route 66 Association of Missouri board member said the city of Springfield, Missouri, plans to reassemble one of the demolished cabins of the Lurvey's Court motel to serve as a visitors center at the Birthplace of Route 66 Park. KY3 in Springfield had some of the details: “The idea is to make a visitors … Continue reading City plans to reassemble a Lurvey’s Court cabin into a visitors center
Kingman to dedicate new Route 66 drive-through sign on July 24
Prompted by popular demand during the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run, a Route 66 drive-through sign will be dedicated near the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, on the evening of July 24. A temporary drive-through "Historic Route 66" shield had been erected each year during the Fun Run at the end of the three-day … Continue reading Kingman to dedicate new Route 66 drive-through sign on July 24
Lobo Theater in Albuquerque to be converted into a concert venue
The historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque soon will be converted into the Lobo Lounge and Event Center and reopen next month. According to a report by KQRE-TV in Albuquerque, the theater was used as a church starting in 2000 but had been closed during the pandemic. J. Richard Rivas told the station some of his … Continue reading Lobo Theater in Albuquerque to be converted into a concert venue
Cleanup day scheduled for July 17 at Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association has announced a cleanup day on July 17 for the Allen's Fillin' Station property along old Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma. An email from the association stated: We will be freshening up the paint on the building and doing any other general site clean-up that is needed. We'd love to … Continue reading Cleanup day scheduled for July 17 at Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce
Bel-Aire Motel sign in ends up at Route 66 Motorheads Bar in Springfield
The main neon sign for the defunct Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, now has resurfaced in a beer garden of the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in that city. The Facebook page for the Motorheads establishment announced the move of the sign: It previously had been reported in 2015 that Ron Metzger, who … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel sign in ends up at Route 66 Motorheads Bar in Springfield
Historical society gives presentation on Route 66, New Mexico license plates
The East Mountain Historical Society earlier this spring gave an online presentation that couples the history of Route 66 in New Mexico and the state's license plates. Rick Holben, vice president of the society and a license plate collector, shares his knowledge of those license plates, going back to plates issued in 1912, the first year of statehood, with some facts about … Continue reading Historical society gives presentation on Route 66, New Mexico license plates
Albuquerque announces “ABQ 66” promotional campaign
The City of Albuquerque's Economic Development Department recently announced it was launching an "ABQ 66" comprehensive marketing campaign to revitalize Albuquerque’s historic Route 66 by boosting consumer activity and sales revenue along the corridor as the city and nation begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a video that touts the campaign: https://youtu.be/y3LAUu9Pc7s The … Continue reading Albuquerque announces “ABQ 66” promotional campaign
Del’s Restaurant in Tucumcari undergoes first ownership change in quarter-century
Del's Restaurant, which has served locals and travelers along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, for more than 60 years, underwent an ownership change last week. Chase Waters, a Tucumcari native who first worked at Del's as a 15-year-old, on Wednesday took over the restaurant from sisters Yvonne Braziel and Yvette Peacock, who had run … Continue reading Del’s Restaurant in Tucumcari undergoes first ownership change in quarter-century