The city of Catoosa, Oklahoma, in April purchased the Blue Whale and its surrounding 23 1/2 acres from its longtime owners, the Davis family. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, revealed the news during a blog post Sunday: Since Catoosa has taken ownership of the land, there have been several improvements. The … Continue reading City of Catoosa purchases Blue Whale property
Motels may be finding new favor over hotels during the coronavirus era
Old-school motels, especially many along Route 66, might be finding newfound popularity because there is less risk in contracting COVID-19 versus modern hotels. Yahoo! Finance reports in a new article: "In outdoor corridors, people feel safe," said Mike Riverside of the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. "People can go directly to their rooms" and potentially … Continue reading Motels may be finding new favor over hotels during the coronavirus era
Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
The San Bernardino County board of supervisors recently approved a nearly $2.5 million engineering contract to build 10 new bridges on old Route 66 near Amboy and Essex, California.' The board earlier this month awarded the contract from several bidders to Dokken Engineering of Folsom, California. According to county documents, it's anticipated the bridges will … Continue reading Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
David Leong, who put Springfield, Missouri, on the culinary map by inventing Springfield-style cashew chicken that many other Chinese restaurants adopted, has died. He was less than a month short of his 100th birthday. Leong lived quite a life. He fled China in 1938 when Japan attacked his hometown. He immigrated to New Orleans, joined … Continue reading The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
Endangered California Route 66 Museum to hold car show as a fundraiser
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville will host a drive-through car show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as a fundraiser in an attempt to keep from closing its doors permanently. Hagerty Media got details about the event from museum director Sue Bridges: Bridges is asking collector car owners to enter the museum … Continue reading Endangered California Route 66 Museum to hold car show as a fundraiser
Arizona Route 66 Association partners with foundation to award grants
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced this week it is partnering with the Arizona Community Foundation to award grants to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and local, state and tribal agencies. According to a news release from the association: The Route 66 Arizona grant seeks applicants who support the Historic Route 66 Association of … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association partners with foundation to award grants
Buck Atom fiberglass giant in Tulsa gets its own face mask
Leave it to Mary Beth Babcock to find some high-profile levity during a worldwide pandemic. Babcock last week added a large bandanna mask to her 21-foot-tall Buck Atom fiberglass statue at her Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa in response to the city imposing a mask mandate amid a rise in coronavirus … Continue reading Buck Atom fiberglass giant in Tulsa gets its own face mask
City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan
The city of Tulsa is conducting an online survey for a master plan update, called Plan 66, for its Route 66 corridor. The Tulsa Planning Office stated on its website: Over the past 15 years since the original Route 66 Enhancements and Promotion Master Plan of Development was released, several initiatives have been implemented. A Master Plan … Continue reading City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan
The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs
The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 tourism season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and needed repairs on the former Route 66 restaurant. The Logan County Tourism Bureau, which owns the facility, made the announcement Tuesday, according to The Courier in Lincoln. “Due to COVID-19 and the … Continue reading The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs
Ted Drewes locations in St. Louis close temporarily after worker gets COVID-19
The two Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stands in St. Louis have closed temporarily after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus. Ted Drewes expects to reopen both stands sometime next week, including its Route 66 location on Chippewa Street in the southwest part of the city. The beloved local institution made the announcement Thursday on … Continue reading Ted Drewes locations in St. Louis close temporarily after worker gets COVID-19