The city council of Carthage, Missouri, approved a $120,000 grant to the foundation of the Boots Court motel to create green space and other improvements at its adjacent visitors center. The vote by the council was 8-1, with the only dissenting voter saying he supported the historic Route 66 motel but wanted more information about … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage wins $120,000 grant to beautify its visitors center
Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
The initial application period for the Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program opened Friday, making $6.6 million available to municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. Oversight for the grants will be by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, comprised of Oklahoma residents who live and work on the Mother Road. The application period will close at 5 … Continue reading Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri
The first Buc-ee's mega-convenience store along the Route 66 corridor opened Monday on the northeast side of Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield Buc-ee's sits just north of Interstate 44 and Old Route 66, off Exit 84. Here's a report from OzarksFirst.com on the opening day: Here's a video report from opening day: https://youtu.be/Bxw3dprUsN8?si=ZRvkhgJHF4AY8h1x When we call … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri
Claudia Heller, longtime columnist and Route 66 historian, dies at 79
Claudia Heller, a longtime columnist for several newspapers in Southern California and an enthusiastic Route 66 researcher, died at 79. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported she died on Dec. 11 after a lengthy illness. She and her husband of 60 years, Alan, were just a few days from each celebrating their 80th birthdays. Claudia … Continue reading Claudia Heller, longtime columnist and Route 66 historian, dies at 79
Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Three individuals will be inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame during a ceremony next month. The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society announced the third set of inductees last week. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, during the society's … Continue reading Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
Five Beetles returned to former Slug Bug Ranch site, but new site will continue as planned
After the owner of Slug Bug Ranch moved the five Volkswagen Beetles south of the original site near Conway, Texas, the landlord claimed possession of them and they were moved back. The Texas Old Route 66 Association alluded to this fluid situation in a social media post about two weeks ago: Slug Bug Ranch, inspired … Continue reading Five Beetles returned to former Slug Bug Ranch site, but new site will continue as planned
Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston secretly adds a 1970s-inspired bar
The acclaimed Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston, Oklahoma, secretly constructed and recently opened a 1970s-inspired bar attached to its Route 66 restaurant. The bar is called Uncle Mark's -- a tribute to restaurant owner Levi Bouska's uncle and his mother's childhood home, reported KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City. It’s a living room-size addition to take … Continue reading Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston secretly adds a 1970s-inspired bar
Group’s development plan may save condemned Midtown Travel Inn motel in Clinton
The condemned Midtown Travel Inn in Clinton, Oklahoma, may be spared the wrecking ball after a local art community presented possible plans for the Route 66 motel in front of the city council. Clinton-based West OK Co-op officers Jason Smith and Andrew Stone asked the council to pause plans for demolition of the motel for … Continue reading Group’s development plan may save condemned Midtown Travel Inn motel in Clinton
Joplin may allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts
The City of Joplin, Missouri, is exploring a proposal to allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts. According to the Joplin Globe, city staff and the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission are seeking input for the plan at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the 530 Somewhere restaurant at 530 S. Main … Continue reading Joplin may allow neon signs in its historic downtown districts