When we'd last heard almost three years ago, a local man bought a 1920s Texaco station along old Route 66 in Foyil, Oklahoma, and shortly had it added to the National Register of Historic Places. The station's owner, Kean Isaacs, pledged to restore it to as close as its original look as possible. Last week, … Continue reading An update on the Texaco gas station in Foyil
County bond vote includes Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque
An upcoming bond question in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, includes money earmarked for a Route 66 visitors center on Albuquerque's west side. The county has a total of $38.5 million in bonds that must be approved by voters amid six questions in the Nov. 6 general election. Among those bonds that would be issued, if … Continue reading County bond vote includes Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque
Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington may reopen by November
The historic Parkview Inn restaurant in Bloomington, Illinois, destroyed by fire two years ago, may be rebuilt and reopened by early November. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported last week: The restaurant was a mainstay along old Route 66 since 1928, but a fire in October 2016 burned the original structure beyond repair. [...] "We're hoping to open by … Continue reading Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington may reopen by November
Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Roland Penttila, a reader of this website based in Albuquerque, emailed this 1955 newspaper clipping a few days ago: Penttila wrote: While many white families have fond memories of their auto adventures along Route 66 during its heyday, too little is remembered of how difficult it was for African Americans to travel U.S. highways including … Continue reading Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Uranus Missouri’s bid to start newspaper encounters resistance
The newspaper in Waynesville, Missouri, recently shut down. A local businessman announces plans to start a newspaper in its place. The readers in Waynesville and the surrounding region are celebrating, right? Not necessarily. The businessman is Louie Keen, owner of the Uranus Missouri, complex along Route 66 in nearby St. Robert, Missouri, and he plans … Continue reading Uranus Missouri’s bid to start newspaper encounters resistance
Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far
Tours and a major fundraiser -- all at the old Joliet Correctional Center -- have generated more than $142,000 so far, with a disc-golf benefit next month slated to generate at least anther $5,000 for the old prison. The big event was the Great Joliet Prison Break-in event last month at the century-old facility, which … Continue reading Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far
Vintage Motel Task Force sets goals, identifies challenges of Route 66 motels
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership this week announced its Vintage Motel Task Force set two goals and identified seven challenges that face owners of historic Route 66 motels. According to a news release from the partnership, the task force's purpose is is "to retain, sustain, and enhance the viability of vintage motels along Route 66 … Continue reading Vintage Motel Task Force sets goals, identifies challenges of Route 66 motels
New Tulsa Route 66 master plan likely will include rehabbing 11th Street Bridge
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission is considering an update to its master plan. If it does, rehabbing the historic but long-closed 11th Street Bridge over the Arkansas River will be high on the to-do list. Tulsa Public Radio reported the master plan last was updated in 2005. Because almost all the projects of the original … Continue reading New Tulsa Route 66 master plan likely will include rehabbing 11th Street Bridge
Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
A volunteer work crew from the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society helped the owner of the long-closed Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg, Missouri, clean his property before it undergoes an exterior restoration. The cafe -- named because of a low-clearance Frisco railroad bridge to the east -- closed about 50 years ago after a new alignment … Continue reading Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
Grants microbrewery offers free food for Nike items
A microbrewery along Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, is offering free food to customers if they donate Nike-brand items they no longer want. A few days ago, sports-apparel company Nike launched an ad campaign featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began taking a knee during the national anthem two years … Continue reading Grants microbrewery offers free food for Nike items