Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, recently received a $12,500 tourism attraction development grant from the state to help build his planned "Big A the Texaco Man" statue at the site. "Everything is on target for a July installation," Perry wrote in a Facebook post. An outsized check was presented to Perry … Continue reading Gearhead Curios gets $12,500 state grant to help build “Big A the Texaco Man” fiberglass giant
Tag: Galena
Dean “Crazy Legs” Walker receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Kansas Historic Route 66 Association
Dean "Crazy Legs" Walker, nicknamed for his ability to turn his legs backward, received a lifetime achievement award from the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association. Dora Meroney, a longtime Route 66 booster from Amarillo, was there to get pictures of the ceremony at Cars on the Route site in Galena, Kansas. More pictures from Jeremy … Continue reading Dean “Crazy Legs” Walker receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Kansas Historic Route 66 Association
Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, and its owner Aaron Perry recently received the inaugural Outstanding Attraction award from the Jefferson Highway Association during its 11th annual conference in Alexandria, Louisiana. Gearhead Curios is best known for being on Route 66. The Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans to Winnipeg, Manitoba, also went through Galena … Continue reading Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Drive-through Route 66 shield being built in Galena between downtown and historic viaduct
A drive-through Route 66 shield is being constructed on Old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, between the historic Front Street Bridge and the downtown area. The Joplin Globe in nearby Joplin, Missouri, had the details: Dale Oglesby, owner of B&B Discount and a former mayor of Galena, provided a large forklift to move the frame … Continue reading Drive-through Route 66 shield being built in Galena between downtown and historic viaduct
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
Gearhead Curios in Galena holds its official ribbon-cutting
Though it's been open for more than a year, Gearhead Curios in downtown Galena, Kansas, held its official ribbon-cutting on Saturday. The ceremony commemorated five years of renovations on the old Texaco site by owner Aaron Perry. Rhys Martin of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association was there when the deed was done: Another set of … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena holds its official ribbon-cutting
New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum
An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum
Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies
Carolyn Pendleton, a longtime advocate for the 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, died last week after being in declining health. She was 80. Pendleton was director of the Route 66 Visitor Center in Baxter Springs, housed in a former Phillips 66 gas station that was renovated about 15 years ago. In 2009, Pendleton … Continue reading Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies
Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17
Mark your calendars. Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, will hold an official ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. June 17 to celebrate several years of work on the former Texaco station. "It will have been almost 5 years of renovations; we have been soft open since March of '22 but come June we will be ready ready … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17
Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena
Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, has a new addition -- a modified Big Boy statue from a Big Boy Restaurant. Instead of the Big Boy carrying a hamburger, he's hoisting four tires. That seems to be an appropriate modification for a site that once was a Texaco station. Gearhead Curios owner Aaron … Continue reading Modified Big Boy statue added to Gearhead Curios in Galena