The Santa Monica History Museum in Santa Monica, California, is hosting a new exhibit, "California's Route 66: Hiding in Plain Sight," through Oct. 19. The museum explains what's in store with the exhibit on its website: To illustrate the Route’s history, the exhibition will feature artifacts such as early driving guides, iconic signage and ephemera, … Continue reading Santa Monica History Museum hosting Route 66 exhibit through mid-October
Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
Elmer Long, the eccentric creator of the beloved Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. He was 72. Kelly Donovan, an administrator of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch page on Facebook, announced Long's death during a post on the page Friday afternoon. No obituary … Continue reading Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum marks 50th year
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, marked its 50th year of operation last weekend. During the ceremony Saturday, a time capsule was sealed so it can be opened during the museum's 100th anniversary. Among these things it contains are 16 essays from Claremore Public School fourth-graders offering ideas of what Claremore … Continue reading J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum marks 50th year
Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived
Less than a month after the Meltdown Diner in southwest Tulsa closed, it reopened again with a slightly modified name. Owner Jim Hardcastle, citing his desire to spend more time with his father and grandsons, announced he would close Meltdown Diner on May 25. The restaurant, which specialized mainly in grilled-cheese sandwiches, had been operating … Continue reading Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived
Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month
Bob Russell, the mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, known for greeting arriving busloads of Route 66 tourists in his city's downtown, will voluntarily step down from his position on July 31. Russell, nicknamed by some as the "Mayor of Route 66," announced his impending departure during a city council meeting this week. According to the Bloomington … Continue reading Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month
Officials dedicate Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa
Several area officials, including Oklahoma's lieutenant governor and Tulsa's mayor, helped dedicate the enormous Route 66 Rising sculpture Tuesday at Avery Traffic Circle in Tulsa. The $682,000 sculpture, paid for with Vision 2025 sales-tax money in Tulsa County, is about 70 feet long and 30 feet tall. It sits at Mingo Road and Admiral Place, … Continue reading Officials dedicate Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa
Matriarch of Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center dies
Martha Jackson, a key figure in the construction of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center in Litchfield, Illinois, died last week after an extended illness. She was 87. Jackson had been in a nursing home in nearby Gillespie, Illinois. Her visitation and funeral will be next week. Here's the key excerpt from the … Continue reading Matriarch of Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center dies
Renovated Hill Top Motel in Kingman may reopen about Jan. 1
The closed Hill Top Motel in Kingman, Arizona, is aiming for a reopening of about New Year's Day after months of renovations on the Route 66 landmark. Route 66 enthusiast Jim Hinckley provided an update about the Hill Top on Tuesday: Dr. Baker acquired the property and after evaluation commenced a major renovation that included … Continue reading Renovated Hill Top Motel in Kingman may reopen about Jan. 1
New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants to put a Route 66-related business there but is unsure what type. So he's appealing to the Route 66 community for ideas. Louis Cox, a retired 22-year Army veteran from nearby Ketchum, Oklahoma, purchased the former gas station for $72,000 during an auction Saturday where … Continue reading New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
“A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October
"A Matter of Time," a photo-driven book about familiar and forgotten places on Route 66, will be coming in October from the University of Oklahoma Press. The 272-page book, subtitled "Route 66 Through the Lens of Change," by German photographer Ellen Klinkel and West Texas A&M marketing professor Nick Gerlich documents 101 spots along Route … Continue reading “A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October