Flagstaff's historic Grand Canyon Cafe reopened last week after an ownership change and months of remodeling. Naturally, longtime Route 66 travelers and regular customers wonder what changes are in store for a restaurant that will mark its 75th anniversary in December after longtime owners Freddy and Tina Wong retired last year and sold it to … Continue reading More about the Grand Canyon Cafe’s reopening
Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque
Developers of the historic but long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque on Tuesday showed off artist's renderings of the upcoming project, which is expected to break ground in October and take about a year to complete. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the Route 66 motel will be demolished and rebuilt as a hotel, apartments, … Continue reading Developers unveil De Anza Motor Lodge renderings in Albuquerque
Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district
The city of Springfield, Illinois, seems more likely to implement at tax-increment financing district on its declining north side -- which features a prominent alignment of Route 66 -- after a hearing on the matter last week. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements. … Continue reading Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district
Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold
The limestone balusters, or spindles, of the now-destroyed old Missouri Highway 96 bridge near Carthage, Missouri, probably will be sold after the city instructed road crews to salvage them. Meanwhile, the new Missouri 96 bridge northeast of town is slated to open this week. That would lessen the confusion of Route 66 travelers using Missouri 96, … Continue reading Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold
Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena
Temporary fencing soon will be installed on the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, to deter suicidal people from jumping off the historic span. According to a report Friday in the Pasadena Star-News: The 10-foot tall mesh barricades are going up in front of 20 pedestrian alcoves along the bridge over the next week. City … Continue reading Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena
Route 66: The Road Ahead launches website, issues second-quarter report
Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the launch of a new website, at route66roadahead.org. According to a news release from the nonprofit group: The purpose of the website is to assist in achieving the mission of the Road Ahead Partnership by fostering a sense of collaboration among Route 66 stakeholders, private organizations, government … Continue reading Route 66: The Road Ahead launches website, issues second-quarter report
Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City dedicated
Dozens of residents gathered Thursday to dedicate the new Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park on the east edge of Webb City, Missouri. The park sits on a formerly grubby triangle of land near Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co., which was a major driver of the project, including a $25,000 donation from the company's president. The park … Continue reading Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City dedicated
Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal will open in August
The Sprague's Super Service station is scheduled to open to the public next month as a Route 66 visitors center after the city of Normal, Illinois, finishes its rehabilitation. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported: "We’re definitely going to be ready to open the doors this summer, possibly a soft opening early next month with a ribbon … Continue reading Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal will open in August
Fire damages Redmon’s Candy Factory
A fire Tuesday believed caused by a cigarette damaged Redmon's Candy Factory in Phillipsburg, Missouri, but the business reopened less than 24 hours later. The building sustained fire, smoke and water damage. A woman answering the phone at Redmon's said the popular roadside stop reopened about noon Wednesday. The cleanup after the fire apparently went well. The … Continue reading Fire damages Redmon’s Candy Factory
Plan would demolish Oklahoma City’s Classen Circle
A chain restaurant submitted plans to the city of Oklahoma City to tear down all the buildings in Classen Circle, which includes Classen Grill and other historic businesses. OKCTalk.com broke the news Wednesday. Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, a popular chain in Oklahoma, wants to build a store there. They have filed to rezone .48 … Continue reading Plan would demolish Oklahoma City’s Classen Circle