The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, recently opened to the public its Boots Court Motel Visitors Center, housed in a former Sinclair gas station adjacent to the Route 66 property. The motel opened the facility during Maple Leaf Festival weekend, which is Carthage's biggest event. More about it: A grand opening for the … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage opens its visitors’ center
Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
The Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus recently added a big historical marker at the defunct Road Runner's Retreat restaurant and gas station near Chambless, California. The chapter describes itself as a "fun-loving, irreverent group dedicated to the preservation and documentation of the history of the west including native Americans, early settlers, the Gold … Continue reading Historical marker added to Road Runner’s Retreat site near Chambless
Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored
The restoration of the historic neon sign for Webb City Florist in Webb City, Missouri, was unveiled during a ceremony last week hosted by the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Association President Rich Dinkela hosted a brief Facebook Live event from the night: Here are more images from the association: And here's an image from … Continue reading Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored
Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
A Czech metal band called Doga recently performed its song "Route 66" on a staircase of city hall in Joplin, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe: There have been more than 1.2 million views of the band Doga and its song "Route 66," released last year on YouTube. The band performed the song on acoustic … Continue reading Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced six grants this year totaling about $165,000 to varying historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretative and educational projects. I noticed the grant awards this year were capped at $30,000. Still, 30 grand is 30 grand. Here are the grant awards: Round Barn siding repair in Arcadia, OklahomaApplicant: Arcadia Historical … Continue reading Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Want an ownership piece of Mickey Mantle's childhood home just off old Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma? A collectibles investment firm is offering it for $7 a share. Mantle wore No. 7 when he played his fabled major-league baseball career with the New York Yankees. The Rally firm set up a website -- at themantlehouse.com … Continue reading Collectible investment firm offers shares of Mickey Mantle childhood home in Commerce
Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, is looking for about $6 million in improvements to its Blue Whale site before Route 66's centennial in 2026. John Blish, the city manager, said he wants to add more amenities to the site to make it more tourist-friendly, according to a report from News on 6 in nearby Tulsa. … Continue reading Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita
Groundbreaking is scheduled for Oct. 30 for a gigantic campground near Vinita, Oklahoma, that will feature 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins. The Three Ponies RV Park and Campground is the first part of a planned $2 billion theme park just off Route 66, reported the Tulsa World. The groundbreaking for the RV park was … Continue reading Groundbreaking scheduled for Oct. 30 for a huge RV park near Vinita
Grand Canyon officials: Knock it off with the love locks
A recent social media post by Grand Canyon National Park about so-called "love locks" got a lot of attention in recent days. Love locks are padlocks often hung from a metal fence, usually bearing a couple’s name or initials, with the key then thrown into a nearby lake or river -- symbolizing unbroken love. The … Continue reading Grand Canyon officials: Knock it off with the love locks
Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66
A few days ago, Ruben Castelo Moure of Spain emailed me, letting me know he had created a music video for his power pop band, Maryland, that takes place in varying spots along Route 66. "Last year I went on a honeymoon trip to the US to travel along Route 66 for a month and … Continue reading Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66