A 68-page "American Indians and Route 66" guide for tourists recently was published, along with its companion website. "American Indians and Route 66" is a partnership between the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which awarded a cost-share grant for the publication. Lisa Hicks Snell, a member of the … Continue reading “American Indians and Route 66” guide published
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie now leading bison tours
Rangers at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie off Route 66 near Chicago now will lead hikes to a pasture that contains recently introduced bison. The Rangers will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends through October, reported the Kankakee Daily Journal. If you go this month, chances are good you'll see baby buffalo. The … Continue reading Midewin Tallgrass Prairie now leading bison tours
El Vado Motel project may begin construction by summer
A long-awaited redevelopment of the landmark El Vado Motel in Albuquerque may begin by summer, and part of the property will reopen as a boutique motel by summer 2017. The Albuquerque Journal reports a $16 million, scaled-back plan for the long-closed Route 66 motel and a nearby piece of land recently was greenlighted by the … Continue reading El Vado Motel project may begin construction by summer
Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
The daughter of Gary Turner reopened the much-loved Gay Parita gas station west of Halltown, Missouri, 15 months after its patriarch died at age 70. Barbara Turner moved into her father and mother's home behind the Route 66 landmark less than two weeks ago. She quit her longtime job as a theater manager and sold … Continue reading Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
Braidwood resident wants preservation ordinance for Route 66
A resident of Braidwood, Illinois, asked the city council to come up with a preservation ordinance for the town's historic buildings, especially ones on Route 66. Chris Earley said those properties "need to be landmarked for historical reasons and preservation reasons, now, for the future," reported Free Press Newspapers. Earley said he's been working with the … Continue reading Braidwood resident wants preservation ordinance for Route 66
66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler
The venerable 66 Bowl sign that once graced Route 66 in Oklahoma City for 50 years has resurfaced in Chandler, Oklahoma, at a future sports and entertainment complex that will include, yes, a bowling alley. A Facebook post of the sign by longtime Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan caused a stir Monday. Marilyn Emde, director of … Continue reading 66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler
Ambler-Becker Texaco station to host 90th birthday for Route 66
An early birthday party for Route 66 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 21 at the historic Ambler-Becker Texaco station in Dwight, Illinois. Although Route 66 doesn't officially turn 90 until Nov. 11, this no doubt will be one of many events marking that anniversary throughout the year. According to a news … Continue reading Ambler-Becker Texaco station to host 90th birthday for Route 66
New sculptures soon will grace Route 66 in Tulsa
New sculptures soon will be greenlighted by the Tulsa Arts Commission and installed along Route 66 in Tulsa. KOKI-TV in Tulsa reports these artist's renderings aren't final, but are close.. First is a Route 66-inspired sculpture at the Admiral Traffic Circle that is Mingo Road and Admiral Place (aka Route 66). The second is a group of sculptures at … Continue reading New sculptures soon will grace Route 66 in Tulsa
Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted
The Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, on Saturday night officially relighted the architectural neon of the Route 66 motel that had gone dark for about 15 years. An estimated 200 people attended the event. Here is a video from Jessica Davis of the countdown before the switch for the neon for Boots Court was flicked on: https://www.facebook.com/100004570088249/videos/618744481621216/ The … Continue reading Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted