The historic Rialto Square Theatre along Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, soon will receive a new marquee and will repaint its iconic vertical sign thanks to a $350,000 gift from a local construction firm owner, reported The Herald-News. The new marquee will have LED screens suitable for video under the name of the theater. Ed Czerkies of … Continue reading Rialto Square Theatre will get a new marquee
New yacht model named Route 66
An Italian luxury yacht company, ISA Yachts, is building a 217-foot-long yacht called Route 66 for delivery in spring 2017, according to Superyacht Times. According to Superyacht Business, the Route 66 design was unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last month. The boat is so named "in honor of the famous legendary American … Continue reading New yacht model named Route 66
A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill
Here's a restaurant in Baxter Springs, Kansas, that escaped my notice -- the Red Ball Bar and Grill, which uses the grille of an old truck as part of its grill. KSN-TV in Joplin has the story: Here's a screen capture of the aforementioned grill: The Red Ball occupies a building that was a grocery … Continue reading A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill
Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
Albuquerque is considering an ordinance change that would make it easier to turn vacant and abandoned signs along old Route 66 into public art, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Ellen Babcock of the Friends of the Orphan Signs nonprofit is one of those who support the idea. The newspaper said: The art can be featured on … Continue reading Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon
A total of 11,000 people participated in a variety of races during the past weekend's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, including the 26.2-mile main event. A few highlights on what has become one of Tulsa's biggest events in less than a decade: Jason Cook of Norman, Oklahoma, who was runner-up in last year's marathon, won … Continue reading 11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon
Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale
Bill Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, has been put on the market after the property cleared probate following the longtime owner's death in December, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper noted the museum's Facebook page had this message a few days ago: Post by Shea's Route 66 Museum. According to the newspaper: … Continue reading Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale
Joplin buys old Route 66 garage
The city of Joplin, Missouri, recently bought a long-abandoned 1920s garage building that it plans to convert into a Route 66 attraction -- most likely a visitors center, reported the Joplin Globe. Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the newspaper the city had purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (also … Continue reading Joplin buys old Route 66 garage
Skylark Motel tower glows again
The former Skylark Motel tower on old Route 66 in St. Clair, Missouri, shined with the glow of neon again after a ceremony Saturday night at the building, which now serves as the VFW Post 2482. According to a news release about the event, about 150 people attending cheered when the light switch was thrown … Continue reading Skylark Motel tower glows again
A glimpse at the future Billboard Museum
If you're a longtime traveler on Route 66 who wonders what happened to the old neon sign for the Rio Siesta Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, we have an answer. It -- along with several dozen other signs and billboards -- are safely in a storage warehouse in the Oklahoma City area until the Billboard Museum … Continue reading A glimpse at the future Billboard Museum
Silica plant in Pacific plans major expansion
The U.S. Silica plant along old Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, is planning an expansion that would double production there and add 117-foot-tall building, reported the Washington Missourian . The newspaper reported: U.S. Silica’s Pacific plant is a prime supplier of sand for the oil fracking industry due to availability of Union Pacific (UP) and … Continue reading Silica plant in Pacific plans major expansion