Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
The newly formed Bug Ranch Association has scheduled a grand opening and christening for the new Bug Ranch location in Amarillo later this month. These free events will be at 6 p.m. June 14 at 1415 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo (map here) at the Starlight Ranch Event Center and near the Big Texan RV Ranch. … Continue reading Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
Special online screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey,” live Q&A set for June 6
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced a special online screening featuring an announcement and discussion with filmmaker John Paget about his forthcoming Route 66 centennial film and the premiere of a newly remastered HD version of his acclaimed 1994 documentary "Route 66: An American Odyssey." The free online event will take place at 5 … Continue reading Special online screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey,” live Q&A set for June 6
Oklahoma Route 66 Midpoint Corridor hosting inaugural Road Rally on June 22
The Oklahoma Route 66 Midpoint Corridor will be hosting its first-ever Road Rally on June 22 in 11 cities along Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma. The towns along the Midpoint Corridor, from west to east, are Edmond, Arcadia, Luther, Wellston, Chandler, Davenport, Stroud, Depew, Bristow, Kellyville and Sapulpa. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association posted this … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Midpoint Corridor hosting inaugural Road Rally on June 22
American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, erected a second Muffler Man -- a rare Texaco Big Friend -- during its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, the event included the Gemini Giant, reclining on a flatbed trailer, paying a visit to the museum before it's restored and reinstalled at a park in … Continue reading American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
Company proposes musical roads in all eight Route 66 states before centennial in 2026
Route 66 Musical Roads LLC has submitted plans to make musical roads on all eight states of Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. The company has submitted the proposals to the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, which has been requesting ideas. For the uninitiated, the musical road concept is to create specially designed … Continue reading Company proposes musical roads in all eight Route 66 states before centennial in 2026
City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
The city government of Chandler, Oklahoma, recently announced it has implemented a neon-sign grant program for its Route 66 corridor. The program provides cost-share funds for businesses that want to make a custom neon sign or fix an existing one. Here are the requirements: Eligible businesses must be on Route 66 and within city limits. … Continue reading City of Chandler launches Route 66 neon sign grant program
A closer look at the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
The host of the Adventures in TV-Land channel on YouTube paid a recent visit to the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The result was a nearly 20-minute video of what the site offers. The Illinois Route 66 Experience is much more interactive and informative than you might think. It also … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
Hiway House Motel in Albuquerque to be transformed into a boutique hotel
The vacant Hiway House Motel in the popular Nob Hill area of Albuquerque will be changed into a boutique hotel, but its historic neon sign will remain. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Josh Rogers and Kurt Browning of Titan Development in Albuquerque acquired the property at 3200 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) after wanting it … Continue reading Hiway House Motel in Albuquerque to be transformed into a boutique hotel
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference