The U.S. Department of Transportation yanked an awarded $675,000 grant to help plan and design the final three segments of the 47-mile Historic Route 66 Bike/Pedestrian Trail in the Bloomington-Normal area of Illinois. The grant was awarded more than a year ago, but the USDOT apparently reconsidered. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: According to a letter … Continue reading Feds pull $675,000 grant to extend Historic Route 66 Bike Trail in Bloomington area
Study shows Route 66 ranks No. 1 in most scenic road trips
A recent study shows that Route 66 topped the list of the most scenic road trips in the United States. According to a report in Yahoo! Life: The study, conducted by vehicle data site 0-60 Specs, analyzed Tripadvisor’s Most Scenic Drives in the United States list and compared each route by the number of Instagram posts. The results … Continue reading Study shows Route 66 ranks No. 1 in most scenic road trips
Kevin Hansel, former California Historic Route 66 Association president, dies at 64
Kevin Hansel, a former California Historic Route 66 Association president and a longtime proponent of the Mother Road, died Monday after a lengthy illness. He was 64. Hansel's death was announced by his niece, Ashley Caceras, on the California Historic Route 66 Association's page on Facebook. "Kevin was a vital part of my life and … Continue reading Kevin Hansel, former California Historic Route 66 Association president, dies at 64
Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute
The Amarillo Art Institute in Amarillo, Texas, is hosting an exhibit, "The Mother Road — Open Air, Open Road," of dozens of paintings of Route 66 landmarks and signs. The exhibit runs through Sept. 26 at AAI’s Vermillion Gallery at 3701 Plains Blvd. According to the Amarillo Globe-News: The show, the first joint effort between … Continue reading Route 66 art show opens at Amarillo Art Institute
Kix on 66 owners buy Loretta’s Burrito Hut building in Tucumcari
The owners of the fire-damaged Kix on 66 restaurant in Tucumcari, New Mexico, have agreed in principle to buy the Loretta's Burrito Hut building down the street and move its operations there. If the transaction and transition go smoothly, Kix may reopen at the Loretta's location as Sidekix on 66 as early as October. Loretta's … Continue reading Kix on 66 owners buy Loretta’s Burrito Hut building in Tucumcari
City of Lebanon officially accepts donation of Munger Moss Motel sign
The city council of Lebanon, Missouri, this week officially accepted the donation of the historic neon sign of the Munger Moss Motel and has pledged to restore it early next year. The sign will remain on the premises of the Route 66 motel, reported the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society in a Facebook post. The … Continue reading City of Lebanon officially accepts donation of Munger Moss Motel sign
“Singing highway” also coming to Route 66 in Winslow
Winslow, Arizona, will be another Route 66 town that will receive a so-called "singing highway." According to the September newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the city hired ROADTUNES to install rumble strips on Route 66 that will emit a melody when tires go over them at a certain speed. The association … Continue reading “Singing highway” also coming to Route 66 in Winslow
Richard Nixon’s stance at Route 66 hotel helped usher in desegregation in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader recently published a story about how future U.S. President Richard Nixon's stand at a Route 66 hotel in Springfield, Missouri, in 1960 helped pave the way for racial desegregation in the region. Nixon was vice president at the time and was campaigning as a Republican candidate for president. It was September. The … Continue reading Richard Nixon’s stance at Route 66 hotel helped usher in desegregation in Springfield, Missouri
Grant may help restore three classic neon signs in Williams
A grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona to the Williams Association for the Arts may help restore three neon signs along the Route 66 corridor of Williams, Arizona. The neon signs that will be assessed are the Turquoise Teepee, Canyon Club, and the World Famous Sultana Bar. The association's newsletter reported: Margaret … Continue reading Grant may help restore three classic neon signs in Williams
Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield
Mel-O-Cream Donuts recently unveiled a new sign at its store along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The sign is shaped like a Route 66 shield doughnut (naturally). The store also announced during the event that it will have extended hours (until 6 p.m.) and new menu items, including ice cream. This particular Mel-O-Cream is at … Continue reading Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield