The Jack Rabbit Trading Post of Joseph City, Arizona -- best known for its jackrabbit mascot and its "Here It Is!" billboard -- actually got its start near Tijeras in the East Mountains near Albuquerque. James H. Taylor opened the Jack Rabbit along Route 66 near Joseph City in 1949, but he opened another rabbit-promoted … Continue reading Precursor of Jack Rabbit Trading Post started near Tijeras
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in Clinton, marked its 30th anniversary last Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism department, paid tribute to the museum: The museum opened on Sept. 23, 1995, and is the oldest dedicated to the Mother Road. It draws 35,000 visitors annually, according to Oklahoma Tourism. … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
NMDOT receives national award for preservation of original Route 66 near Los Lunas
The New Mexico Department of Transportation received the 2025 Perpetual Pavement Award from the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, recognizing exceptional long-term performance and preservation of a historic section of New Mexico Route 6, part of the original Route 66 alignment. The recognized segment is a nine-mile portion of Route 6 west of Los Lunas, originally opened … Continue reading NMDOT receives national award for preservation of original Route 66 near Los Lunas
Founders of Frontier Restaurant to be honored by New Mexico Restaurant Association
The founders of the iconic Frontier Restaurant along Route 66 in Albuquerque will be given the lifetime achievement award at the New Mexico Restaurant Association’s Hospitality Industry Awards. Larry and Dorothy Rainosek founded the Frontier near the University of New Mexico campus in 1971. They also later founded the small Golden Pride restaurant chain in … Continue reading Founders of Frontier Restaurant to be honored by New Mexico Restaurant Association
Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration
The 110-foot-tall Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, was taken apart Monday so it can be restored and then reassembled on Route 66 in the city. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, snapped a few photos of the job: Encino Signs in nearby Tulsa has been contracted to restore the sign. … Continue reading Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration
The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference
Heritage Corridor Destinations announced earlier this month that it was honored with the Bureau Innovation Award from the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau for The Landing Pad, just a few steps from the iconic Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The honor was given earlier this month at the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau Fall Conference in … Continue reading The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference
Route 66 photographer David Schwartz to hold exhibition in Wilmington next month
Photographer and storyteller David J. Schwartz will premiere his new Route 66 exhibition, "Roadwork Ahead: The Exhibition – A Future for the Mother Road," at the Art On 66 Gallery in Wilmington, Illinois. The show opens with a public reception on Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will remain on view through … Continue reading Route 66 photographer David Schwartz to hold exhibition in Wilmington next month
Old firehouse in Clinton may be turned into a visitors center
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, is applying for a state Route 66 centennial grant that could be used to convert its historic former fire station into a visitors center. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported Thursday that the grant is due to be submitted on Sept. 30. Awards from the centennial grant program will … Continue reading Old firehouse in Clinton may be turned into a visitors center
Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Arts Commission this week approved an agreement to install the big Route 66 boot at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The "Kicks 66" art project still requires approval from the city council before it can proceed, reported KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. The original proposed location was on Classen Boulevard, on … Continue reading Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Five U.S. senators on Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the senators are Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. -- all from states where historic Route 66 traverses. Similar legislation is being brought … Continue reading Five senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail