The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman
A woman is leading a fundraising effort to build welcome arches on the east and west sides of Seligman, Arizona, on Route 66. Nancy Echeverria has raised about $23,000 so far for the project. She anticipates the arches will cost a total of $150,000. Her fundraisers have received the endorsement of the Seligman Chamber of … Continue reading Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman
Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
The Normal Town Council of Normal, Illinois, several days ago approved the installation of a large Route 66 monument sign. The monument will be on Pine Street (aka Route 66), adjacent to the south edge of One Normal Plaza, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. "It will be a fun Route 66 photo (opportunity) for visitors … Continue reading Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
Couple who walked across America in 2006 writes a book about their experiences
Very longtime readers of Route 66 News may remember Rick and Jane McKinney, an evangelical couple who walked across the United States -- including much of Route 66 -- in 2006 in an effort to share their Christian faith. Seventeen years later, the McKinneys published a book "And ... So We Walked" (Amazon link) about … Continue reading Couple who walked across America in 2006 writes a book about their experiences
Bristow Historical Society increases efforts to restore Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower
The Bristow, Oklahoma, Historical Society is busting a hump to raise funds to restore a 100-foot-tall Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower in time for Route 66's centennial in 2026, and it is enlisting the help of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association to do it. According to a recent story by the association: There are multiple efforts underway … Continue reading Bristow Historical Society increases efforts to restore Chrysler-Plymouth sign tower
Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs
A developer that sought to build an ambitious Route 66-themed mixed-use project in Tulsa told the city this week it has withdrawn the proposal, citing a rise in construction costs that made it unfeasible. Sharp Development of Tulsa pulled out of the project this week after the city selected it from four proposals a year … Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs
Opening of the renovated Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff delayed to early July
The reopening of a revitalized Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, has been postponed to early July, according to a reporter who contacted us with the news. Peter Corbett, a writer for Flagstaff Business News and other publications, said the motel's spokeswoman told him about the postponement. "I did a hard-hat tour last week and … Continue reading Opening of the renovated Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff delayed to early July
New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
New Mexico PBS stations a few days ago broadcast a new 21-minute documentary about La Fonda on the Plaza, the storied and highly influential hotel in the middle of downtown Santa Fe. You can watch the film below. It's also available for viewing on the PBS app. According to a recent article in the Albuquerque … Continue reading New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge is torn down
The historic but closed Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri, was torn down last week, culminating a long decline for the Route 66 property. A number of Route 66 travelers and locals posted photographs and a video of the buildings being razed. A photographer posted this requiem of the motel: The Gardenway's demise had been … Continue reading Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge is torn down