65-foot guitar unveiled at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Catoosa

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa in Catoosa, Oklahoma, unveiled the lighting of a 65-foot-tall Gibson Les Paul electric guitar on Tuesday night. The big guitar is on the east side of the casino, along Route 66. Though the big unveiling was this week, the Hard Rock had been hinting at this for a … Continue reading 65-foot guitar unveiled at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Catoosa

Aztec Motel in Seligman likely to reopen as Airbnb, arts center by mid-August

The historic Aztec Motel in Seligman, Arizona, probably will reopen by mid-August after its new owners transform the renovated Route 66 property into an Airbnb site and arts center. Co-owner and operator Anna Marie Gonzales said in a telephone interview earlier this week she and her husband, Netherlands native Sebastiaan de Boorder, bought the property … Continue reading Aztec Motel in Seligman likely to reopen as Airbnb, arts center by mid-August

Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival

The next phase of the Oklahoma Music Trail will be launched this weekend at the inaugural Route 66 Heritage Festival in downtown Miami, Oklahoma. The trail currently is a well-developed website shepherded by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also is Oklahoma's tourism chief and a big Route 66 advocate. The Joplin Globe had details on … Continue reading Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival

Kingman dedicates Route 66 drive-through shield

The Kingman Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, on Saturday night unveiled its new, lighted Route 66 drive-through shield during a ceremony, and dozens of classic-car drivers availed themselves of it. Smiley Ward posted dozens of photos from the event: Here's a video from the scene by the Kingman Visitor Center. If it won't allow embedding, … Continue reading Kingman dedicates Route 66 drive-through shield

Groups need $18,000 by late September to paint Route 66 shield on water tower

The Historic 6th on Route 66 Association, San Jacinto Neighborhood Association and Route 66 Association of Texas need $18,000 more to paint a proposed Amarillo Route 66 shield on a water tower in Amarillo. About $5,000 for the effort has been raised so far. The groups need to raise the rest by Sept. 30, according … Continue reading Groups need $18,000 by late September to paint Route 66 shield on water tower

Interesting nuggets from the second-quarter report of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership a few days ago released its second-quarter report. A lot of material in the report already has been reported here. However, drilling down finds some other material that appears noteworthy. The nuggets below are directly quoted from sections of the report and lightly edited: -- "The Financial Sustainment Task … Continue reading Interesting nuggets from the second-quarter report of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership

An eye-catching new mural is finished on a big water tank in Sapulpa

A new mural on the side of a big water tank now will catch the eyes of Route 66 travelers on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. According to the Sapulpa Times (subscription only), the mural shows off the state's official wildflower, the Indian Blanket. The city recently finished tree-trimming around the site. Sapulpa city … Continue reading An eye-catching new mural is finished on a big water tank in Sapulpa

Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations

The historic Monterey Motel and its attached MOMO Lounge are expected to reopen Aug. 4 after extensive renovations and redesigns that bring the property back to its earlier roots, according to a local newspaper. The Paper in Albuquerque published many details about how Rupal Engineer of Design Plus LLC tackled the face-lift for the Route … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations

Otter Cove Diner and Gift Shop serves more than 1,100 on opening day

The Otter Cove Diner & Gift Shop in Miami, Oklahoma, served more than 1,100 customers during its opening day Monday, prompting some changes in the hours of operation due to the overwhelming (and gratifying) demand. The restaurant, which occupies a former gas station on a prominent corner of Route 66 and is owned by the … Continue reading Otter Cove Diner and Gift Shop serves more than 1,100 on opening day

Century-old picnic table returned to Camp Cajon site

A 100-year-old concrete picnic table that once stood at Camp Cajon, a former Route 66 rest stop in Southern California, was returned to the site last month. According to an article in the San Bernardino County Sun, the table stood for 80 years at Lytle Creek Park in San Bernardino. It also had this history … Continue reading Century-old picnic table returned to Camp Cajon site