Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner led a parade Sunday of hundreds of motorcycles to four Route 66 sites to celebrate the state's bicentennial. According to the Herald-News in Joliet, Rauner and 300 to 500 other riders made stops at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, … Continue reading Illinois governor hits several Route 66 sites during motorcycle tour
Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa closed to vehicular traffic
The historic Rock Creek Bridge west of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, closed to traffic for the second time in five years after flunking an inspection. The Route 66 Alliance, based in nearby Tulsa, stated on its Facebook page Tuesday the bridge will stay open to pedestrians, however, as an engineering firm figures out what to do next. … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa closed to vehicular traffic
Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari put up for sale
Acknowledging "mixed feelings," the owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced they have put the iconic Route 66 property on the market. Co-owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller made the announcement Monday night in a Facebook post. It stated: We’ve given our hearts, souls, and financial resources over eight seasons, working to … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari put up for sale
More details emerge about Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs
The Decades of Wheels complex in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, will be "95 percent" finished by its opening weekend Oct. 12-14. Decades of Wheels will contain a classic-car museum, restaurant, bed-and-breakfast and children's fun house. A story in the Joplin Globe about the progress of the $3 million project brought forth previously unreported details about … Continue reading More details emerge about Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs
Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
For the first time in more than a half-century, the boilers were fired up on the Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive in Albuquerque -- a major milestone for a group of railroad buffs that have worked to restore the train for about 15 years. The Albuquerque Journal was there Wednesday when the New Mexico Steam Locomotive … Continue reading Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
Vinita wins $25,000 to help enhance its downtown
The city of Vinita, Oklahoma, received a $25,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant to help improve its downtown, including the Route 66 corridor. KSNF-TV reports about 1,600 towns applied for the grant, and only 129 won it. Here's what Vinita will do with the money: The Vinita Route 66 Breezeway Project will make the downtown area more … Continue reading Vinita wins $25,000 to help enhance its downtown
Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
The historic Dew Chilli Parlor site a short distance from Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, closed Friday because of traffic and parking issues. Two other Dew Chili sites -- including one on old Route 66 -- remain open in the city. The site at 1216 S. Fifth St. had operated there since 1954. Other Dew … Continue reading Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue progress report
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians this week issued a report on its activities to preserve the closed historic bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The group met in St. Louis on Sunday. Here is a summary of the meeting, as described on a post on Facebook on Thursday: -- The group's fundraising efforts have generated … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue progress report
Albuquerque gets long-awaited $75 million grant for ART
The troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project will receive a $75 million grant from the federal government -- more than a year after it was initially announced by the city. Mayor Tim Keller said Tuesday the money will come in two installments in the coming weeks from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Program, reported the Albuquerque … Continue reading Albuquerque gets long-awaited $75 million grant for ART
Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale
The historic Lexington Hotel in downtown Gallup, New Mexico, has been put up for sale by the nonprofit organization that owns it. According to a story by the Associated Press, CARE 66, which owns the building, said it no longer has the money to keep it. CARE 66 Executive Director Sanjay Choudhrie says the organization … Continue reading Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale