The Threatt Filling Station and family farm near Luther, Oklahoma, made it onto the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of 11 of America's most endangered historic places. The properties are threatened by deterioration, climate change, or inappropriate development. The good news is in the 34 years the National Trust has compiled the lists, … Continue reading Threatt Filling Station makes America’s Most Endangered Historic Places list
City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge
The City of Barstow, California, recently received a $5 million state grant to help replace the First Avenue Bridge that leads to the Harvey House and its Route 66 Mother Road Museum. According to a news release Sunday from city manager James Hart: The City of Barstow requested $5,000,000 million dollars from the Railroad Grade … Continue reading City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge
Sand dunes can be found a short distance from Route 66 on Albuquerque’s west side
A number of Route 66 travelers take a nearly 200-mile side trip south of Santa Rosa to White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico to see the wondrous sand dunes there. Sand dunes also exist barely a mile south of Route 66 on the west side of Albuquerque, though they're the usual beige color … Continue reading Sand dunes can be found a short distance from Route 66 on Albuquerque’s west side
El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday is hosting an intriguing event -- a cruise on the original alignment of Route 66 in the city. The cruise begins northbound on Shepard Avenue at Business 40 and U.S. 81, turns west onto Elm Street, turns north onto Hoff Avenue, turns west onto Wade Street, turns briefly north onto … Continue reading El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
Roamin’ Rich giving antique gas pump to replace stolen one at OKC coffee shop
Roamin' Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, announced Monday morning he was giving an antique gasoline pump he owns to replace one that was stolen from the Brew Brother Coffee shop at the Owl Court site in Oklahoma City. Dinkela, based in the St. Louis region, announced it on Facebook along … Continue reading Roamin’ Rich giving antique gas pump to replace stolen one at OKC coffee shop
Food trucks, other improvements coming to Cadillac Ranch site in Amarillo
Those who've driven by the iconic Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side in recent days may have noticed some changes there lately, including food trucks near the art installation. The food trucks and a Cadillac Ranch merchandise trailer began parking near the site when warmer weather and bigger tourist crowds arrived this spring. The food … Continue reading Food trucks, other improvements coming to Cadillac Ranch site in Amarillo
Amarillo City Council approached about Route 66 water tower project
The San Jacinto Neighborhood Association and the Historic 6th on Route 66th Association have approached the Amarillo City Council about changing an ordinance so a Route 66 shield could be painted on the big water tower at 6th Street (aka Route 66) and Independence Street on the city’s west side. As previously reported in February, the … Continue reading Amarillo City Council approached about Route 66 water tower project
New Route 66 National Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) on Friday introduced the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) as the co-sponsor. The bill is so new, it hadn't yet been added to the database of the Congress' bill-search website as of Friday evening. The Route … Continue reading New Route 66 National Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress
Illinois Tourism launches “Time for Me to Drive” campaign
The Illinois Department of Tourism earlier this month launched a $6 million "Time for Me to Drive" campaign, which includes a significant nod to Route 66. Here is a 30-second ad for the campaign, where the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington and a few other Route 66 sites make prominent appearances: … Continue reading Illinois Tourism launches “Time for Me to Drive” campaign
Agreement keeps American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo
After hearing overtures from Fort Worth to move there, the American Quarter Horse Association will remain in Amarillo for another 10 years after reaching an agreement over $3 million in incentives from the local Economic Development Corporation. AQHA's headquarters have been in Amarillo since 1946 and is estimated to generate $25 million in economic impact … Continue reading Agreement keeps American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo