The City of Flagstaff, Ariz., may be onto something big with its Route 66 Motel Preservation Program. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the city isn't just giving lip service to historic motel owners along the Mother Road: Through the Route 66 Motel Preservation Program, the city is encouraging local hotel owners to apply for … Continue reading A model program for motels?
Route 66 building owner seeks help from city
A few months ago, it was reported that Terri Ryburn had purchased a historic gas station at 305 Pine St. in Normal, Ill., with the hopes of remodeling it into a bed-and-breakfast, restaurant, gift shop and a Route 66 visitors center. WJBC radio reports that Ryburn says the repairs have been more expensive than anticipated, … Continue reading Route 66 building owner seeks help from city
Route 66 festival shows growth
The Route 66 Days Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., started three years ago with just 80 classic cars. Now, the festival this year expects to have 300 cars, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. Cars entered in the car show will begin arriving downtown this afternoon. They'll park overnight in the Wheeler Park parking lot and move … Continue reading Route 66 festival shows growth
A special birthday celebration
The Bartlett-Carnegie Sapulpa Public Library in Sapulpa, Okla., is marking its 90th birthday on Sept. 15, and to begin the festivities that day will be Route 66 author Michael Wallis, reports the Sapulpa Daily Herald. Wallis will sign books and answer questions from the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in John Frank Hall … Continue reading A special birthday celebration
Fontana restaurant set to reopen
The Red Hill Coffee Shop along Route 66 in Fontana, Calif., was long a favorite of locals and had been operating since 1987. But it was forced to close July 3 when an out-of-control truck snapped off a supporting beam of the restaurant. The city condemned the compromised structure. According to the Fontana Herald News, … Continue reading Fontana restaurant set to reopen
Town asks for county help with Red Cedar Inn
Pacific, Mo., is asking for help from St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley in the city's possible purchase of the closed Red Cedar Inn and converting it into a historical museum, reports the Tri-County Journal. The Red Cedar Inn, 1047 E. Osage St. (Old Highway 66), closed in March 2005 after more than 70 years … Continue reading Town asks for county help with Red Cedar Inn
Revving up for the Rendezvous
The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., isn't until next weekend, but two area newspapers are already publishing preview articles about the massive classic-car event. First is the Yucaipa New Mirror's story. Next is the Highland Community News story. Outside of all the wonderful cars that will be there, the best bet during the … Continue reading Revving up for the Rendezvous
Preventing a slow-motion disaster
This issue has been covered here before, but the Associated Press takes a look at the Route 66 town of Galena, Kan., and its efforts to fill in its abandoned underground lead mines before they collapse. The city wants to revitalize downtown by making a tourist attraction out of the stretch of old Route 66 … Continue reading Preventing a slow-motion disaster
“Route 66 Grandma” to be honored
Lucille Pech will be honored as grand marshal of the Atlanta Fall Festival Parade in the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., reported the Lincoln Courier. The newspaper gives some background: Pech views Atlanta as the perfect hometown, a place where everyone knows each other, and everyone is each other's neighbor. Pech was asked to … Continue reading “Route 66 Grandma” to be honored
Twist-off like we did last summer
An Oklahoma City television station did a nice segment on the recent Okie Twist-off event at the 66 Bowl. The Twist-off was such a success, the organizers are already planning one in 2008.