The reconstruction of the landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, will be finished by mid-April to early May, a project supervisor recently told an Oklahoma City television station. A KFOR-TV reporter went to the site, where workers were busy reinstalling the pony truss sections on the bridge on what was anticipated to be a two-year … Continue reading Pony Bridge renovations may be complete by mid-April to early May
Imperial Inn in Albuquerque likely will reopen to overnight guests next month
The long-moribund Imperial Inn in east downtown Albuquerque probably will reopen to overnight travelers sometime next month after city officials hailed a $7 million redevelopment of the Route 66 motel. The Imperial, located at 701 Central Ave. (aka Route 66), now has 56 guest rooms, 16 residential suites and 4,400 square feet of commercial space … Continue reading Imperial Inn in Albuquerque likely will reopen to overnight guests next month
Herring Hotel in Amarillo designated to National Register of Historic Places
The nearly century-old but shuttered Herring Hotel in downtown Amarillo recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation went into effect on Jan. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The National Register nomination form can be read here. In 2022, several media outlets reported about a … Continue reading Herring Hotel in Amarillo designated to National Register of Historic Places
Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows
The nearly 90-year-old officers' quarters building at the Fort Reno Visitor’s Center and Museum near El Reno, Oklahoma, recently received a $50,000 grant to replace its old windows. The Yukon Progress, based in nearby Yukon, Oklahoma, reported the officers' quarters at the fort initially was built in 1876, and then rebuilt in 1936. The grant … Continue reading Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows
Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa marks its centennial with announcement of special shows
The iconic Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa will celebrate its 100th year with several big shows throughout 2024, including a tour-opening concert of Alison Krauss and Robert Plant in June. A news conference earlier this week announced the Krauss-Plant show on June 2, along with Tulsa hometown heroes Hanson in December and Jason Isbell and the … Continue reading Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa marks its centennial with announcement of special shows
This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger
This month marks the 100th anniversary when a restaurant along future Route 66 in Pasadena, California, reputedly introduced the cheeseburger. The Rite Spot restaurant in the 1500 block of West Colorado Boulevard offered an "Original Hamburger with Cheese" for 15 cents in January 1924, according to the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau. As the tale … Continue reading This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger
Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
The iconic Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- nearly was destroyed by a severe storm and some bad decisions by a contractor 41 years ago. That factoid was revealed during a Santa Monica Daily News story about walking tours offered at the 115-year-old pier: Back in the … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership issues its fourth-quarter report
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently released its report on its activities for the fourth quarter of 2023. Bill Thomas, chairman of the partnership, summarized highlights from the report in an email: The Route 66 Road Ahead State Associations Advocacy Working Group is discussing an informational piece that celebrates the upcoming Centennial and which … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership issues its fourth-quarter report
Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
A distinctive but long-closed building that once housed a muffler shop in Holbrook, Arizona, was torn down in recent days. Local reports indicate the site will be used for a Dollar General store: It stood next to the landmark Wigwam Motel. As usual, the Route 66 Times website had information about the site at West … Continue reading Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
Route 66 Navigation app adds several new features
The developers of the Route 66 Navigation app announced they have added some new features with the new year. Route 66 Navigation, offered by Touch Media since 2018, is available for both iPhones and Android operating systems. A news release detailed the improvements: A key update introduced early in 2024 is the enhancement of HERE's … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app adds several new features