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
Pacific awards $2.2M contract to convert Red Cedar Inn into a visitors center
The Pacific, Missouri, board of aldermen voted last week to award a $2.2 million contract to rehabilitate the closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant into a visitors center. According to a report by the Washington Missourian, the board unanimously gave the deal to St. Louis-based Legacy Contracting Group to remake the Route 66 landmark into a … Continue reading Pacific awards $2.2M contract to convert Red Cedar Inn into a visitors center
Volunteers complete next-to-last work phase on Painted Desert Trading Post
A group of volunteers a few days ago finished the penultimate work session to shore up the historic but long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. Chaz Baldwin on Sunday posted several photos of the just-completed work, including vintage images: Mike Ward, one of the members of the Route 66 Co-op that owns the … Continue reading Volunteers complete next-to-last work phase on Painted Desert Trading Post
Victorville city council approves renovation to 7th Street Archway over Route 66
The archway that greets Route 66 travelers to the Old Town area of Victorville, California, soon will undergo a face-lift. The Victorville City Council earlier this month approved a bid from Inland Signs Inc. to renovate the archway near the corner of 7th and D streets. Artist's rendering of the refurbished archway at night According … Continue reading Victorville city council approves renovation to 7th Street Archway over Route 66
Festival in September will pay tribute to Red Oak II’s late founder Lowell Davis
The Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri, will hold a Red Oak II Festival on Sept. 11 to pay tribute to the faux town's creator, artist Lowell Davis, who died at age 83 in November. The Red Oak II Festival, according to a post on Facebook, will feature hayrides, Dutch oven cooking, children's games, … Continue reading Festival in September will pay tribute to Red Oak II’s late founder Lowell Davis
City of Albuquerque budgets $300,000 for Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Albuquerque City Council is budgeting $300,000 to begin planning for a Route 66 centennial event in 2026. KRQE-TV quoted city councilor Klarissa Pena, who summarized why she thought the celebration would be important: “Communities throughout the nation suffered a decline of the historic route when highways were built, so what do we do to … Continue reading City of Albuquerque budgets $300,000 for Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
20th sign installed as part of Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program
The Vault restaurant in downtown Tulsa recently became the 20th recipient of the city's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission trumpeted the latest neon sign in a Facebook post: It seems particularly appropriate The Vault would benefit from the program. The restaurant occupies a former National Auto Bank building constructed … Continue reading 20th sign installed as part of Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program