City of El Reno to purchase former Route 66 gas station, will make improvements at plaza

The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, is under contract to buy a former gas station at Sunset Drive (aka Route 66) and Choctaw Avenue for $150,000 and is seeking a state Route 66 grant to improve that corner in time for the highway's centennial in 2026. The city also plans to upgrade its Mother Road … Continue reading City of El Reno to purchase former Route 66 gas station, will make improvements at plaza

Route 66-themed roundabout in El Reno begins construction

A Route 66-themed roundabout began construction Thursday at the intersection of Route 66 and U.S. 81 in El Reno, Oklahoma. According to a report in the Yukon (Okla.) Progress: “Work is scheduled to take about a year-and-a-half, weather permitting, and should be complete ahead of the Route 66 Centennial (in 2026),” ODOT spokesman Bryce Boyer … Continue reading Route 66-themed roundabout in El Reno begins construction

Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges

Three people associated with the Oklahoma-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q chain, including the owner, were indicted by a multicounty grand jury on fraud charges over its operation of restaurants at state parks. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, restaurant owner Brent Swadley and two other company officers were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the state … Continue reading Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges

Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows

The nearly 90-year-old officers' quarters building at the Fort Reno Visitor’s Center and Museum near El Reno, Oklahoma, recently received a $50,000 grant to replace its old windows. The Yukon Progress, based in nearby Yukon, Oklahoma, reported the officers' quarters at the fort initially was built in 1876, and then rebuilt in 1936. The grant … Continue reading Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows

Local preservation group wants to turn old El Reno jail into a museum

A local preservation group seeks to convert the old Canadian County Jail in El Reno, Oklahoma, into a museum and education center by 2026, which is Route 66's centennial. According to KOCO-TV in nearby Oklahoma City, the Preservation El Reno group's Jail Restoration Committee wants to restore the 1907 building. The group began leasing the … Continue reading Local preservation group wants to turn old El Reno jail into a museum

Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024

Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, is scheduled to reopen as a restaurant in June after it closed nearly a decade ago. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin noted early this summer that the sign for the Route 66 landmark had been spruced up. According to a recent story in the Yukon Progress-News, longtime … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno scheduled to reopen in mid-2024

Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers

Burger expert George Motz and chef Alvin Cailan recently paid a visit to Sid's Diner along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, to sample a regional dish -- the fried onion burger. The quest was part of the Burger Bucket List by the First We Feast channel on YouTube. The video also features the Meers … Continue reading Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers

City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

The City of Lockport, Illinois, a few days ago erected a Route 66 monument sign that celebrates the city's dubious heritage with the highway and Route 66's approaching centennial. According to the Homer Glen-Lockport Patch, the monument was placed on State Street near the Metra lot. "To commemorate Lockport’s role in the Route 66 centennial, … Continue reading City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell

Swadley's Bar-B-Q last week filed a countersuit, alleging the governor and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, knew of the arrangement where the restaurant chain spent millions of dollars in inflated reimbursement invoices to upgrade services at several state parks. The Oklahoman newspaper reported some details about the countersuit: Among the claims … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q countersuit allegedly implicates Oklahoma governor, Pinnell