The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund which generally will offer grants of $5,000 to $10,000, with no match required. The fund aims to help business owners advance projects in Capital improvements; Planning; Marketing and outreach. Eligible projects will be located in the broader Route 66 … Continue reading National Trust offering the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
The village board of McLean, Illinois, voted 4-2 last week to tear down its historic water tower, despite pleas from preservationists that included members of the Illinois Route 66 Association. The old water tower was built in 1935. It was decommissioned in 2017 after a new water tower was built. Those who voted for the … Continue reading McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
Sculptor wants a giant statue of aviation pioneer Wiley Post in Edmond
An Oklahoma City sculptor is seeking to erect a 50-foot-tall statue of aviation pioneer Wiley Post along Route 66 in nearby Edmond. Post's accomplishments are numerous: the first to fly solo around the world, a key developer of one of the first pressure suits and a discoverer of the jet stream. Post was born in Texas, but his family moved … Continue reading Sculptor wants a giant statue of aviation pioneer Wiley Post in Edmond
Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring
The historic Rosati Winery and Museum along Route 66 near St. James, Missouri, will reopen by spring after being closed for almost a decade, said one of the principals. Jacob Stotler, who will run the museum, said in a phone interview that local caterer Deb Branson will open a restaurant at the facility, along with … Continue reading Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring
Jericho owners raising funds to install a historic marker at Jericho Gap
Blair and Blanca Schaffer, the de facto owners of the Route 66 ghost town of Jericho, Texas, recently launched an online fundraiser to erect a historic marker at the start of the notorious Jericho Gap. The Schaffers want to raise $3,000 through GoFundMe.com to place a Texas Historical Marker at the site. The appeal contains … Continue reading Jericho owners raising funds to install a historic marker at Jericho Gap
Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, is scheduled to reopen as a restaurant in June after it closed nearly a decade ago. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin noted early this summer that the sign for the Route 66 landmark had been spruced up. According to a recent story in the Yukon Progress-News, longtime … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024
Angel Delgadillo receives President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation
Ninety-six-year-old Angel Delgadillo traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation on Nov. 8 from the National Trust of Historic Preservation. According to a news release from the National Trust, Delgadillo's honor "recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the field of preservation." It's … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo receives President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation
Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
A Mexican restaurant called Lil Fiesta on Route 66 recently opened in the space that held Sonrise Donuts and its iconic sign for many years in Springfield, Illinois. Lil Fiesta on Route 66 opened Friday at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) in a space that also held another Mexican restaurant, for a few … Continue reading Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield
Buck Atom statue in Tulsa will have a companion sometime next year
It appears Buck Atom has a girlfriend. The namesake fiberglass giant at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa will have a companion statue coming sometime in 2024. Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the souvenir shop at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), announced last week that Stella Atom, a 19-foot-tall space cowgirl, … Continue reading Buck Atom statue in Tulsa will have a companion sometime next year
El Rancho Grande restaurant in Tulsa marks its 70th year
The landmark El Rancho Grande Mexican Food Restaurant near downtown Tulsa recently marked its 70th anniversary of operation. El Rancho, located at 1629 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), remains best known for its well-preserved neon sign and that it is a pioneer in Mexican restaurant food in the United States. The restaurant marked the … Continue reading El Rancho Grande restaurant in Tulsa marks its 70th year