A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

A replica of Lightning McQueen from the "Cars" animated movie series will be unveiled at noon Nov. 13 in Galena, Kansas, on Route 66 just north of Cars on the Route near the historic Front Street Bridge. Renee Charles, one of the co-creators of Cars on the Route, posted a "Meet Lightning" event on Facebook … Continue reading A replica of Lightning McQueen will be unveiled in Galena on Nov. 13

Gearhead Curios in Galena throws the switch on its new neon lighting

The owners of Gearhead Curios in downtown Galena, Kansas, on Saturday night threw the switch on the new neon lighting they installed on the gas station building and its Texaco sign out front. Proprietor Aaron Perry shot a Facebook Live video of the event and provided a brief tour of the Gearhead Curios' interior: Just … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena throws the switch on its new neon lighting

Galena launches a Route 66 brick campaign for its downtown Main Street district

Galena, Kansas, has launched a buy-a-brick campaign where buyers can leave a permanent mark on the city's downtown Main Street district along Route 66. The bricks, which start at $50, can be used to commemorate anniversaries, people, or organizations, with the option of adding a logo. Souvenir bricks that can be kept as keepsakes start … Continue reading Galena launches a Route 66 brick campaign for its downtown Main Street district

Neon relighting ceremony for Gearhead Curios in Galena set for April 24

The Route 66 Association of Missouri on Sunday announced a date of April 24 for the neon relighting at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. The new neon will involve several elements at the former Texaco gas station: Around dusk approximately 6:30PM on April 24th we will "flip the switch" and light beautiful red TEXACO and … Continue reading Neon relighting ceremony for Gearhead Curios in Galena set for April 24

Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena

The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money and matching funds for a campaign to bring back neon lighting at the former Texaco gas station that is Gearheads Curios in Galena, Kansas. Association President Rich Dinkela outlines the campaign in this video: The association will match funds up to $2,500, with the goal of … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena

Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April

The owners of Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, said on social media Thursday they plan to install neon lighting at their former gas station by April 21. The social media post included a rendering of the neon added to an existing photo of the site: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1124595541308380&id=550734662027807 Gearhead Curios said anyone who wants … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April

Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena

A replica of the Doc Hudson character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" was unveiled Saturday at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. A local television station talked to Aaron Perry, proprietor of the shop that's housed in a former Texaco gas station: He thought Galena would be the perfect place to start Gearhead Curios … Continue reading Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena

Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena

A purported arson fire Tuesday destroyed an 1899 passenger railcar in Galena, Kansas, slated to begin restoration as a future tourist attraction along Route 66. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby stated in a Facebook post the former presidential railcar from the Kansas City Southern Railway contained hand-laid mosaic tile showers, a kitchen, a dining room, … Continue reading Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena

Gearhead Curios in Galena wants your old license plates

The folks who are renovating an old Texaco station in Galena, Kansas, into Gearhead Curios are asking for old license plates to help cover the ceiling of their shop. The shop put out this message on Facebook a few days ago: In case you missed the initial news about a year ago, Aaron Perry, a … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena wants your old license plates

New Coca-Cola mural added to prominent building in Galena

A new, huge and vintage-style Coca-Cola mural, complete with a Route 66 shield, recently was painted onto a prominent building in downtown Galena, Kansas, where two Route 66 alignments meet. The century-old building sits at Kansas Route 66 (the newer alignment) and Main Street (aka old Route 66). A local television station recently reported about … Continue reading New Coca-Cola mural added to prominent building in Galena