Jobe's Drive-In restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, closed last month, less than two years after the historic Route 66 restaurant was resurrected. Jobe's, aka Jobe's Country Boy Drive-In, announced its closing on June 13 on Facebook. Days later, Jobe's announced the property was for sale for $35,000, recipes included. Jobe's opened in the fall of … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In in El Reno closes less than 2 years after its revival
Tag: El Reno
Cruise Route 66 from El Reno to Tulsa during the mid-1960s
Bruce Clark recently posted this six-minute home video (with no sound) from the mid-1960s of a Route 66 trip from El Reno, Oklahoma, to Tulsa. In it, you'll see a lot of cool neon signs and plenty of Space Age architecture. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, in the comment thread, narrowed … Continue reading Cruise Route 66 from El Reno to Tulsa during the mid-1960s
Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
Brent Swadley, owner of the Oklahoima-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q restaurant chain, was found guilty Thursday by a jury in an Oklahoma City courtroom of committing criminal fraud involving millions of dollars of state taxpayer money. Swadley was accused of creating fake invoices and overbilling the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department at state parks. The overbilling, which … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
New restaurant coming near World War II plane in El Reno will play tribute to local war hero
A closed VFW Post 382 near a World War II plane in El Reno, Oklahoma, is being renovated into Sonny's Kitchen and Bar and will pay tribute to local war hero Col. Charles Clark "Sonny" Kegelman. Kegelman was born in El Reno and graduated from the local high school in 1932. He enlisted in the … Continue reading New restaurant coming near World War II plane in El Reno will play tribute to local war hero
El Reno earns $750,000 grant for The Hub project on Route 66
The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, recently learned it will receive a $750,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission for "The Hub" project, directly across from The Filling Station visitors center. The City of El Reno posted artist's renderings of the new project: The Yukon Progress provided more details on The Hub: Directly south … Continue reading El Reno earns $750,000 grant for The Hub project on Route 66
The Filling Station Visitor Center in El Reno opens to regular hours
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
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