Disney World's Magic Kingdom near Orlando, Florida, will add a Pixar "Cars" area from the 2006 animated movie inspired by Route 66. According to a recent report by CNET: The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom are being repurposed to insert a new area themed around Pixar's Cars movies. This expansion … Continue reading Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida will add a Pixar “Cars” area
State Historical Society of Missouri wants Route 66 stories and items for exhibit in 2026
The State Historical Society of Missouri is collecting items and stories about Route 66 so it can launch an exhibit during the highway's centennial in 2026. According to NPR in Kansas City, researchers hope to “fill in historical gaps” by recording the experiences -- especially those of women, immigrants and Black Americans -- who traveled … Continue reading State Historical Society of Missouri wants Route 66 stories and items for exhibit in 2026
New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8
The specially commissioned, nearly 20-foot-tall "Big A the Texaco Giant" will be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8. ReGiant, specializing in working on Muffler Men, will install the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Enchanted Castle Studios made the figure itself. It has fabricated … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8
Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes
The Sun 'n Sand Restaurant, which operated in the shadow of the distinctive neon sign for the long-closed motel by the same name in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, closed last Saturday. The restaurant at 2050 Historic Route 66, which had erratic hours in recent years, announced the closure on Facebook. Reached by Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes
20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa
A 20-foot-tall Muffler Man named Meadow Gold Mack was installed Wednesday at the Meadow Gold Mack's Route 66 Outpost in Tulsa. It is the third such Muffler Man to be installed in a short stretch of Route 66 in Tulsa. Two are at the nearby Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66. All are the … Continue reading 20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa
Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving
The landmark Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba diving and free diving after an underwater wall collapse prompted its closing for weeks. The City of Santa Rosa on Monday announced on Facebook the forthcoming reopening of diving at the site. The Blue Hole reopened to swimmers on … Continue reading Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving
Fundraiser launched for needed repairs for historic Hooker church, school building
An online fundraiser recently was launched to repair the roof on the 120-year-old Hooker Church and school next to Hooker Cemetery in Hooker, Missouri. The cemetery and church building, aka The Little White Church, are next to Route 66. Rick Wieners, whose grandfather and father are buried in the cemetery, launched the campaign on GoFundMe.com … Continue reading Fundraiser launched for needed repairs for historic Hooker church, school building
Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience
The Hydro Chamber of Commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, announced the village had received a $496,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to build a "Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience." It will be built at the four-way stop at Route 66 and Highway 58, the north-south road leading into Hydro, and yards off … Continue reading Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience
Rich Henry, longtime owner of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, dies
Rich Henry, owner of the landmark Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, died suddenly Friday, according to locals and Route 66 enthusiasts who knew him well. An exact age for Henry wasn't available, though he listed on his Facebook page he graduated from high school in 1965. That would put his age in his mid-70s. … Continue reading Rich Henry, longtime owner of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, dies