The Bristow Retail Merchants Association of Bristow, Oklahoma, recently raised a 26-foot-tall "Cowboy Christmas" tree it is touting as the "largest Christmas tree along Route 66." According to Fox 23 in nearby Tulsa: The 26-foot Wisconsin Balsam fir made a long journey to Bristow, nearly 1,000 miles. Molly and Socks Christmas Tree Farm who was … Continue reading ‘Largest Christmas tree along Route 66’ erected in Bristow
City of Catoosa approves development proposal for the Blue Whale
The city council of Catoosa, Oklahoma, earlier this month approved a conceptual development plan for the iconic Blue Whale site, but not without hearing concerns from residents and officials from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. According to a report by the association, several people during the public comments portion of the meeting spoke up about … Continue reading City of Catoosa approves development proposal for the Blue Whale
A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Otis Gibbs, who regularly posts interviews with music artists on his YouTube channel, recently was traveling on Route 66 and by happenstance bumped into Roger Miller's brother in front of the Roger Miller mural in his adopted hometown of Erick, Oklahoma. You'll find the quirky sense of humor Roger had was passed along to his … Continue reading A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Fire at Molly’s Landing restaurant in Catoosa kills one person
Molly's Landing restaurant, a fixture along Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, for nearly 40 years, was severely damaged by fire early Friday that apparently killed one person. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa reported Friday afternoon that one body was found in an upstairs apartment of the restaurant. Melissa Beasley-Lee, president of the New Mexico Route 66 … Continue reading Fire at Molly’s Landing restaurant in Catoosa kills one person
OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther
A University of Oklahoma team recently received funding from the nonprofit Oklahoma Humanities organization to develop a Route 66 Placemaking Communities Retreat that includes a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma. The team also wants to develop a Route 66-themed design experience in Hydro, Oklahoma. The efforts are being done before Route … Continue reading OU team to develop a living-museum experience at Threatt Filling Station near Luther
National Trust offering the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
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