This week, the Daily Progress newspaper in Claremore, Oklahoma, began a series about two local African-American sports teams before desegregation -- the Claremore Clowns baseball team and the Lincoln School state championship boys basketball team. In the first part, former local athlete Gerome Riley talked about the whites-only, blacks-only era of the 1940s and early 1950s: … Continue reading Racial slur once used to promote Route 66 restaurant
Inspector general’s report criticizes ART project
Albuquerque's inspector general on Thursday issued a scathing report about the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along nine miles of the city's Route 66 corridor. The report, in effect, repudiates former mayor Richard Berry, who championed the project and shepherded ART through a divided city council. Berry said ART, which caused 18 months of construction … Continue reading Inspector general’s report criticizes ART project
New Route 66 signs unveiled in Amarillo
State and local officials on Wednesday unveiled a series of new Route 66 signs in Amarillo, Texas, after the state legislature passed a bill that designated Route 66 as an official historic corridor. The Amarillo Pioneer reported: The ceremony, which took place across the street from the OPJ antique store, featured Senator Kel Seliger, Representative … Continue reading New Route 66 signs unveiled in Amarillo
Illinois launches Route 66 motorcycle plate program
Illinois motorcycle owners now can join car owners in the Land of Lincoln by registering for an Route 66 license plate. According to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, observed that "Illinois residents that ride will now be able to … Continue reading Illinois launches Route 66 motorcycle plate program
U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday evening approved by a voice vote the Route 66 National Historic Trail Act. The bill advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration. According to reports by the U.S. House clerk, lawmakers quickly suspended rules for debate and proceeded to vote on the bill, called HR 801, without objection. … Continue reading U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
Tropical attire encouraged for The Tropics sign relighting
Organizers of the relighting of The Tropics neon sign on June 24 in Lincoln, Illinois, are encouraging attendees to wear tropical-style clothing for the event. A news release from the Tropics Campaign Relighting Committee states activities will begin at 7:15 p.m. that day with a pre-event reception at the McDonald's parking lot at 1007 Hickox … Continue reading Tropical attire encouraged for The Tropics sign relighting
New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
The new co-owner of the Vega Motel in Vega, Texas -- who also owns a new AirBnB site along Route 66 in town -- aims to restore and eventually reopen the Route 66 motel that's been closed to overnight travelers for more than 10 years. Vega resident Karen Friemel Fangman, along with her brother Barry … Continue reading New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop
Blueprint Coffee this month is opening a second St. Louis site in a 1940s-era auto-repair shop not far from the Route 66 landmarks Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and Donut Drive-In. Blueprint Coffee opened in 2013 in the Delmar Loop area of west St. Louis. The second place, opening in June, sits at 4206 Watson Road … Continue reading Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop
Business plan approved for Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
The historic Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will screen both first- and second-run movies as well as stage live entertainment and events under a business plan approved by county commissioners last week. According to the print edition of The Communicator, based on Santa Rosa: Gillian Joyce of Rio Chiquito Research and Consulting of … Continue reading Business plan approved for Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
Galena to redevelop more of its downtown
The city of Galena, Kansas, soon will begin a redevelopment of the rest of its downtown -- which includes Route 66 -- after a similar project about six years ago helped revitalize the area. KSNF-TV filed this report about the project: Most of the work will be installing new sidewalks and street lights. The station … Continue reading Galena to redevelop more of its downtown