After a soft opening earlier in the month, the Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno, Oklahoma, opened Saturday to regular hours. Here are images from the full opening: The $1.4 million renovation of the former gas station at 120 S. Choctaw Ave. (aka Route 66) was funded by a grant from the Oklahoma Route … Continue reading The Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno opens to regular hours
Tag: El Reno
Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
City and local officials cut the ceremonial ribbon Saturday and held a soft opening for the Filling Station Visitor Center, housed in a former gas station, along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma. The $1.4 million renovation of the station at 120 S. Choctaw Ave. (aka Route 66) was funded by a grant from the … Continue reading Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno holds soft opening
“Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
The latest episode of "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" aired on PBS, where she travels on Route 66 west from Tulsa through the Texas Panhandle to the New Mexico border. Over 25 minutes, she visits Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma; First Americans Museum and a neon artist in Oklahoma City; Sid's Diner in El … Continue reading “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
Lebanon gets sponsorship for a 12-foot-tall, interactive Route 66 shield
The Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission recently awarded the City of Lebanon a sponsorship worth up to $15,000 for an interactive Missouri Route 66 shield sign that will be 12 feet tall. Nearly a half-dozen others will be installed across the Show-Me State. Lebanon tourism director Rebecca Rupard announced the sponsorship during the annual meeting … Continue reading Lebanon gets sponsorship for a 12-foot-tall, interactive Route 66 shield
New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
A new “Hungry for History” historic marker recently was planted in El Reno, Oklahoma, that recognizes the city's heritage as the birthplace of the fried onion burger. The marker, facilitated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, was placed at the northeast corner of Wade Street and Choctaw Avenue, which also is Route 66, in El … Continue reading New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
Restoration work begins on century-old jail in El Reno
Renovation work recently started on the century-old Canadian County Jail in El Reno, Oklahoma, so it eventually can reopen as a museum. Preservation El Reno, a nonprofit organization, is busy replacing the stone building's roof before starting on interior work, according to KOCO-TV in nearby Oklahoma City. The station reported: The estimated million-dollar project is … Continue reading Restoration work begins on century-old jail in El Reno
Jobe’s Drive-In restaurant in El Reno reopens for first time in nearly a decade
Jobe's Drive-In, a Route 66 restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, for over 60 years, recently reopened for the first time in nearly a decade. The restaurant, which dates to 1958, has been renamed Jobe's Country Boy Drive-In. Here's an image from its grand reopening a few weeks ago: Local contractor Eric Hughes, a fan of … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In restaurant in El Reno reopens for first time in nearly a decade
Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station
The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, recently announced it had landed a $1.2 million grant from the state's Route 66 Commission to restore a historic gas station. "This Route 66 project aims to enhance the appeal of Route 66 for both locals and visitors and will prepare Downtown El Reno for the Route 66 Centennial … Continue reading City of El Reno receives $1.2 million state grant to revitalize historic gas station
Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
The Oklahoma Historical Society awarded 37 entities a total of $520,000 in grants this year, including several with Route 66 ties. We mentioned yesterday the Totum Pole Park near Foyil received a $20,000 grant to help restore its Fiddle House. Here are the rest of them that are relevant to Route 66: Friends of the … Continue reading Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants