The City of Tulsa has received four Route 66 mixed-use development proposals for a piece of land near Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza and the Arkansas River. A city committee now will evaluate the proposals, grading them on a points basis on how well each meets the city's goals for the land, the experience of the … Continue reading Tulsa receives four proposals for Route 66 development near Cyrus Avery Plaza
Tag: Ken Busby
Route 66 Experience may become part of a $35 million hotel project in Tulsa
The long-planned Route 66 Experience interactive museum by the nonprofit Route 66 Alliance appears to have new life as part of a proposed $35 million hotel complex on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. KTUL-TV in Tulsa reported the developers hope to break ground on the project later this year. It's described as … Continue reading Route 66 Experience may become part of a $35 million hotel project in Tulsa
Tulsa Route 66 Commission requests $1.5M in federal funds for new signs, more parking
The chief of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission is requesting $1.5 million in funds from the coronavirus-related American Rescue Plan for new directional signs and more parking spaces along Route 66 in the city. Ken Busby, CEO of the commission, explained his reasoning to KTUL-TV in Tulsa: "One of the things that we still hear … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission requests $1.5M in federal funds for new signs, more parking
Charles Custer, a photographer of Route 66 in the early 1950s, dies at age 91
Charles Custer, a retired Chicago lawyer whose startlingly detailed photographs of Route 66 businesses that he and his wife Irene took in the early 1950s were recently re-discovered, died at age 91 in January. The Chicago Sun-Times described Custer's remarkable life and photographic legacy in an obituary last week. A memorial service had been planned … Continue reading Charles Custer, a photographer of Route 66 in the early 1950s, dies at age 91
Brookshire Motel in Tulsa catches fire again
The closed Brookshire Motel caught fire for a second time in 13 months last week, adding doubt on whether the historic Route 66 motel ever will be restored. The northernmost wing of the motel caught fire Thursday night, probably by homeless vagrants who broke into the property and started a fire to keep warm. The … Continue reading Brookshire Motel in Tulsa catches fire again
Despite losing $6M in funds, backers still push for building Route 66 Experience
The supporters of a Route 66 Experience complex near the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa still want to proceed with the project despite recently losing $6 million in funding from the city, according to one report. Public Radio Tulsa seems to be the first media outlet reporting the loss of the $6 million … Continue reading Despite losing $6M in funds, backers still push for building Route 66 Experience
Tulsa weighs location for another Route 66 museum
Update: A few corrections have been made regarding the Route 66 Experience. The Route 66 Alliance intends to stay the course in building the facility. Tulsa is considering a location for a Route 66 museum at the 11th Street and Lewis Avenue area near the Mother Road Market -- with blessings from a Route 66 … Continue reading Tulsa weighs location for another Route 66 museum
Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
KRMG, a prominent radio station in Tulsa, recently produced a special about that city's extensive link to Route 66 and its role in the historic highway's future. The three-part segment, which totals less than eight minutes, includes interviews with Michael Wallis, author of the seminal "Route 66: The Mother Road"; Ken Busby of the Route … Continue reading Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
Restoration of Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park near Foyil should be done by fall 2020
A years-long restoration of Ed Galloway's historic Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma, should be completed by fall 2020 and last a quarter-century or more. Park Director David Anderson and artist Erin Turner described the project that began in 2015 during a Claremore Collective panel discussion last week, reported the Claremore Daily Progress newspaper. Route … Continue reading Restoration of Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park near Foyil should be done by fall 2020
More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
The filmmakers of the "Almost Ghosts" documentary have announced more screenings of the film at several historic theaters on or near Route 66. A screen-capture image of Angel Delgadillo in the "Almost Ghosts" film. The Flagstaff screening will feature one of the film's subjects, Angel "Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo, speaking before the movie. At … Continue reading More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary