Steve Paulken, city manager for Winslow, Arizona, sent these photos of the old Moore's Pawn & Trading sign along Route 66 in town being refurbished, thanks in part to a city program. Paulken wrote in an email: This sign has been here for over 30 years, but in recent years has been unused and totally faded out. … Continue reading One way to repurpose an old sign
Big Texan Steak Ranch considers moving
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in east Amarillo may move from the location it's called home more for than 40 years, according to a big article in the Amarillo Globe-News. Co-owners Bobby and Danny Lee, sons of late Big Texan founder Bob Lee, told the newspaper the Big Texan is bursting at the seams with customers, and something's gotta … Continue reading Big Texan Steak Ranch considers moving
Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri’s Most Endangered list
Route 66's closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, made Missouri Preservation's Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2015. The Old Phillipsburg General Store in the Route 66 town of Phillipsburg, Missouri, also made the list. The annual list, announced Friday, is designed to call attention to properties endangered because of deterioration, neglect, encroachment, potential demoltion … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri’s Most Endangered list
Kingman building ‘welcome arch’ to its downtown
Kingman, Arizona, is building a "welcome arch" across its downtown Beale Street, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. The arch would be installed as part of Kingman's participation as a quarterfinalist in the America's Best Communities contest in which $10 million is at stake, city manager John Dougherty said. Dougherty said the ABC team, which … Continue reading Kingman building ‘welcome arch’ to its downtown
Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson
A former police officer and another man pleaded guilty Friday to arson charges in burning down the closed Payless Inn on Route 66 and an abandoned house in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on Sept. 3, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper and other media outlets. Dustin “Dusty” Lopez, the former Tucumcari officer, and Robert Sandoval … Continue reading Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson
Lightning strike closes Santa Rosa restaurant for weeks
The historic Route 66 Restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will be closed for weeks after a lightning strike destroyed the building's electrical system, according to this week's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. The strike Wednesday afternoon knocked out a fuse box and scorched a wall of the restaurant, … Continue reading Lightning strike closes Santa Rosa restaurant for weeks
‘Great Food Truck Race’ on Route 66 begins Aug. 23
The sixth season of the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" begins Aug. 23 with a variety of challenges along Route 66 towns, according to a news release this week. The season opener will air at 9 p.m. Eastern Sunday, Aug. 23. Here's a trailer for the series: More from the news release: In … Continue reading ‘Great Food Truck Race’ on Route 66 begins Aug. 23
Joplin barber shop likely to become gallery, visitors center
An automotive artist from California may buy Dale's Ole 66 Barber Shop in Joplin, Missouri, and turn it into a gallery and visitors center, according to the Joplin Globe. Len Nordmann of Lake Elsinore, California, wants to buy the property at 2312 Utica St. (aka Route 66) from Shirley Holly, widow of longtime owner Dale Holly, who owned it … Continue reading Joplin barber shop likely to become gallery, visitors center
New T-shirt features Whoopee Coaster
Tourist Trap Tees, based in Oklahoma, is releasing a new T-shirt featuring a Mother Road legend from Illinois. This one is the Whoopee Coaster of Lyons (also known as the Whoopie Coaster) -- a long wooden structure basically designed as a roller coaster for cars. Living History of Illinois has a nice summary of this short-lived … Continue reading New T-shirt features Whoopee Coaster
Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
An article this week in the The State Journal-Register answers one question in the wake of the demolition of the Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois -- what will happen to the neon signs? The short answer: They've been acquired by two local residents, where they likely will be restored. Retired Springfield businessman Ron Metzger and … Continue reading Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel