I recently received an announcement the 2020 Oklahoma Travel Guide now is available for free to order from TravelOK.com. A news release touts Oklahoma's 400 miles of Route 66: “We are so excited about this new Oklahoma Travel Guide,” said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who is also the state’s Secretary of Tourism & Branding. … Continue reading New Oklahoma Travel Guide illustrations contain Easter eggs for Route 66 fans
Frank and Lynne’s 10th annual Christmas video
In what's become a tradition around the holidays, Frank and Lynn Kocevar created their 10th annual Christmas video, and it always gets shared here. The Kocevars once owned Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. Though they've stopped selling trinkets and coffee along Route 66 there, they continue to create a video Christmas card each year. … Continue reading Frank and Lynne’s 10th annual Christmas video
Book review: “A Matter of Time”
The new book "A Matter of Time" (272 pages, 174 photos, hardcover, University of Oklahoma Press) featuring Ellen Klinkel's black-and-white photographs may appear to be a coffee-table book -- and a very good one. But it's the text by co-author Nick Gerlich that sets the book apart from typical Route 66 volumes, offering a modern … Continue reading Book review: “A Matter of Time”
Lake Overholser Bridge in Oklahoma City reopens to traffic after 3-month closing
The historic Lake Overholser Bridge on Oklahoma City's west side reopened to traffic Friday after repair work and a three-month closure. According to a news release from the city government Thursday: A contractor replaced damaged structural gusset plates on the historic steel truss bridge. Engineers performing a routine inspection in September discovered the damage, prompting … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge in Oklahoma City reopens to traffic after 3-month closing
Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa
The Cities Service Station in southwest Tulsa this week became the sixth recipient of the city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program to light the darkness. The gas station at 1648 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66), now home to Studio 45 Architects, was built in 1926, the same year U.S. 66 was designated. The Cities Service … Continue reading Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa
Suspicious fire damages historic trolley car in Sapulpa
The historic electric trolley car along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was damaged by a suspicious fire early Wednesday. Sapulpa News and Views reported on Facebook: First thought to have been caused by an electrical short in Christmas display lighting, a lock pried off one of the street car’s two doors and security camera footage … Continue reading Suspicious fire damages historic trolley car in Sapulpa
San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
Thanks to social media, people in recent years have become fascinated by so-called "arrows on the ground" that served as airmail beacons during the 1920s. Because these long-abandoned arrows were made of concrete, many still survive. To my surprise, I recently found out the Route 66 town of San Jon, New Mexico, also built a … Continue reading San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
The New Mexico Route 66 Association recently gave out Heritage Awards to Glenn's Bakery in Gallup, May Cafe in Albuquerque and Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa for their efforts at revitalization. The Pecos Theatre at 219 S. Fourth St. (aka Route 66) was honored for renovating the oldest theater on Route 66, built in 1917. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
Old Riverton Store in Riverton robbed at gunpoint; suspect apprehended
The owner of the Old Riverton Store along Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas, was bound and robbed at gunpoint Monday morning. The suspect was apprehended about six hours later and is jailed on $200,000 bond. According to a news release from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the store, formerly known as Eisler Bros. Store, was … Continue reading Old Riverton Store in Riverton robbed at gunpoint; suspect apprehended
County gives $1.5M more for Route 66 visitors center project in Albuquerque
Bernalillo County recently approved giving an additional $1.5 million to construct a Route 66 visitors center on Albuquerque's west side. According to a story by the Associated Press, the money is contingent on a comprehensive marketing analysis for the facility. The visitors center's projected cost has risen from $3.4 million to $12.9 million in three … Continue reading County gives $1.5M more for Route 66 visitors center project in Albuquerque