The city of Lebanon, Missouri, on Saturday unveiled a new, Route 66-themed mural inside Boswell Park designed for a photo-op for people traveling the road. It depicts a 1957 Chevrolet cruising into Lebanon on Route 66. A driveway was built right in front of the mural so people can park their own cars in front … Continue reading Lebanon unveils new Route 66 mural in Boswell Park
Route 66 sculpture chosen for Admiral Traffic Circle in Tulsa
The city of Tulsa and the Tulsa Arts Commission picked Eric F. Garcia's design, titled "Route 66 Rising," as the sculpture that will be installed in the middle of the Admiral Traffic Circle at the intersection of Mingo Road and Admiral Place. KOTV in Tulsa reported the sculpture will be installed by the end … Continue reading Route 66 sculpture chosen for Admiral Traffic Circle in Tulsa
Lost Signal Brewing Co. opens in Springfield, Missouri
Lost Signal Brewing Co. opened last week in Springfield, Missouri, making it the fourth microbrewery in the city and the second on Springfield's Route 66. Lost Signal opened Valentine's Day at 610 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in a building that once housed the KICK radio station, hence its name, reported the Springfield News-Leader. … Continue reading Lost Signal Brewing Co. opens in Springfield, Missouri
Route 66-themed sculptures dedicated in Tulsa’s Howard Park
Tulsa officials this week dedicated three Route 66 sculptures chiseled out of Indiana limestone at Tulsa's historic Howard Park. Utah sculptor Patrick Sullivan painstakingly chiseled into the three massive blocks by hand over a period of months. The limestone columns range from eight to 10 feet tall. The $90,000 project was funded by the Vision … Continue reading Route 66-themed sculptures dedicated in Tulsa’s Howard Park
Sprague Super Service station likely will open in May
The Sprague Super Service station along Route 66 in Normal. Illinois, probably will open to travelers in May, a few weeks later than originally anticipated. The reason for the delay is because work still is being done. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: Normal's Historic Preservation Commission approved three steps Tuesday to improve the exterior: tuck-pointed bricks on … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station likely will open in May
Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
A local tourism bureau and a committee overseeing the restoration of The Tropics neon sign that once stood near Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, plan to erect the sign in the parking lot of a McDonald's that will replace the original Tropics restaurant. The proposal was presented during a meeting of the Lincoln City Council. According to … Continue reading Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens
Art's Motel of Farmersville, Illinois, best-known for distinctive sign that was restored by volunteers a decade ago, recently reopened after a six-year hiatus. The Prairie Land Buzz, a publication from a four-county area in Illinois near St. Louis, reported in its February issue the old Route 66 motel had been purchased by Kris Jain and reopened. "A … Continue reading Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens
Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
The Coates Cyclery bicycle shop in Pomona, California, will close at the end of February after a staggering 83 years in business. The shop, at 760 E. Foothill Blvd. (Route 66), features a distinctive freestanding neon sign that was erected in the 1950s or '60s. Corey McCroskey, who bought the shop 15 years ago, told the Inland … Continue reading Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21
A few weeks ago, Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods," announced a Route 66 episode was in the hopper for the program's new season. We now know when it first will air: 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Here is the synopsis of the episode, titled "Road Tripping Route 66": … Continue reading Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21
R.I.P., Al Jarreau
Word came over Sunday afternoon that Grammy-winning singer Al Jarreau, whose vocal talents in jazz, R&B and pop were as treasured in the music industry as his excellent record sales, died in Los Angeles. Jarreau was 76. He was hospitalized and abruptly retired two weeks ago because of apparent health problems. Because of his jazz chops, I figured … Continue reading R.I.P., Al Jarreau