Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

A fire sparked accidentally by maintenance work on Tuesday destroyed the 19-foot-tall Frecs the Miner statue along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, stated in a Facebook post that sparks during repair work on the statue's arm fell inside the structure and set it ablaze. Undeterred, … Continue reading Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

New Muffler Man named Frecs erected on old Route 66 in Galena

A new Muffler Man -- a 19-foot-tall miner named Frecs -- recently was erected on old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. The Muffler Man isn't 100 percent done. He still needs touch-ups after a weld broke on his supporting frame, and his boots needed to be finished. Regardless, it stands just west of the historic … Continue reading New Muffler Man named Frecs erected on old Route 66 in Galena

Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena

Officials from Galena, Kansas, and the neighboring states of Oklahoma and Missouri attended a ceremony Saturday to mark the restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena Work on the bridge was finished in early July. Cherokee County received a Community Development Block Grant last year for the repairs, and the county covered the … Continue reading Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena

Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed

The restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena, Kansas, recently was finished, and the city will hold a dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. July 22 to mark the occasion. City and county officials talked to the Joplin Globe newspaper about the project, also known as the Galena Viaduct: “It’s a piece of history, … Continue reading Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed

Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July

  The historic Front Street Bridge, aka the Galena Viaduct, that carried Route 66 into Galena, Kansas, will be closed for renovations until July. KSNF-TV reports the bridge's road surface, sidewalks and hand rails are being repaved. It's being paid for with a $193,000 Community Development Block Grant, with Cherokee County covering the other half … Continue reading Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July

Galena Viaduct wins grants to finish restoration

The Galena Viaduct, also known as the Front Street Bridge, north of Galena, Kansas, recently received almost $400,000 in grants to finish its restoration. The bridge recently received a federal $193,836 Community Development Block Grant and a $193,837 match from Cherokee County. Cherokee County commissioner Pat Collins said the money will be used to refurbish the … Continue reading Galena Viaduct wins grants to finish restoration