The Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by late Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell, will reopen in late 2020 as a studio and museum, according to recent article in the Tulsa World. Teresa Knox, the owner of the facility, has been collecting Russell memorabilia and renovating the former church for months. The newspaper reported: Russell-related … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa will reopen late this year
Ariston Cafe, World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Wildey Theatre named Local Legends by tourism bureau
The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau of southwest Illinois recently named the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville and Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville as Local Legends during the bureau's tourism summit. The summit was held at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and attended by about 250 people, the Alton Telegraph reported. … Continue reading Ariston Cafe, World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Wildey Theatre named Local Legends by tourism bureau
Fire station in Tulsa rededicated for Route 66
Tulsa's only fire station on Route 66, Fire Station 30, was rededicated this week as Fire Station 66 with a splashy new logo and renaming its trucks Engine and Ladder 66, with “Keepers of the Mother Road” across their cabs. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, city officials and Route 66 enthusiasts attended the rededication ceremony … Continue reading Fire station in Tulsa rededicated for Route 66
Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office is asking for proposals to survey historic properties along Route 66 in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Tulsa County includes the city of Tulsa along with the communities of Oakhurst and Red Fork along Route 66. Oklahoma County includes Oklahoma City, Bethany, Edmond, Arcadia and Luther along Route 66. The … Continue reading Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties
Decopolis adding two stores along Tulsa’s Route 66
Decopolis, originally founded in downtown Tulsa to pay tribute to the city's storied Art Deco architecture, announced it is adding two stores along Tulsa's 11th Street alignment of Route 66. Decopolis founder and artist William Franklin told the Tulsa World newspaper he plans to open two venues, Decopolis Curiosities & Wonders and Tulsarama, at 1401 … Continue reading Decopolis adding two stores along Tulsa’s Route 66
At least one Route 66 town wants to be in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover”
A few folks in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, hope the upcoming HGVT show "Home Town Takeover" will consider their town for a full-scale renovation, and other Route 66 towns may consider applying, as well. According to a news release from the cable channel, the show will be "the most impressive and massive renovation ever": Ever since Ben and … Continue reading At least one Route 66 town wants to be in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover”
Analysis: Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque won’t be sustainable for 3 years
An analysis estimated a proposed Route 66 Visitor Center on Nine Mile Hill in west Albuquerque won't be sustainable for the first three years of its operation. The Route 66 Visitor Center is scheduled to break ground at the site later this year. Its estimated cost has risen from an initial $3.4 million less than … Continue reading Analysis: Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque won’t be sustainable for 3 years
Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old bottles of 76 and Kist soda and a Crescent Creamery bottle found along old Route 66 in the Petrified Forest National Park. (NPS) KJZZ-FM radio, a public station based in Phoenix, recently conducted a fascinating interview with a paleontologist at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. William Parker, the paleontologist, collects trash … Continue reading Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie
The Old Joliet Prison, now converted into a tourism site, in Joliet, Illinois, will host a big bash in August to mark the 40th anniversary of "The Blues Brothers" movie, part of which was originally filmed there. The Herald-News, based in Joliet, reported the celebration will be a two-day event. Final dates aren't 100% set, … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie
Another new neon sign goes up on Tulsa’s Route 66 for Burnett’s Flowers
Burnett's Flowers in Tulsa became Tulsa Route 66's first new neon sign installation in 2020 after the business received a neon sign grant from the city. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission stated in a Facebook post the flower shop recently moved near 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Quincy Avenue, but it's been in business … Continue reading Another new neon sign goes up on Tulsa’s Route 66 for Burnett’s Flowers