The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
Tag: neon signs
Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
A neon sign for OK Used Cars that dates to about 1960 recently was restored and re-installed at Dunton Motors Dream Machines along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley reports the sign was relighted Friday. A recent news release from the Route 66 Association of Kingman says an official relighting ceremony is … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs
It took longer than expected, but the city of Albuquerque last week began installing its new directional tourism signs inspired by a Route 66 shield and a roadrunner, New Mexico's state bird. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, the sign installed in the Nob Hill section of town is one of six that will be installed … Continue reading Albuquerque installs new Route 66-inspired directional signs
Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
An article this week in the The State Journal-Register answers one question in the wake of the demolition of the Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois -- what will happen to the neon signs? The short answer: They've been acquired by two local residents, where they likely will be restored. Retired Springfield businessman Ron Metzger and … Continue reading Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
Artisan re-creating smaller versions of classic Route 66 neon signs
Joel Rayburn of GlassBoy Studios in the Oklahoma City area unveiled three smaller re-creations of classic Route 66 neon signs during the Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, this weekend. The re-created signs are El Cajon Motel in San Bernardino, California, a Whiting Bros. Motel sign in San Fidel, New Mexico, and … Continue reading Artisan re-creating smaller versions of classic Route 66 neon signs
Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum
For those who worried about the fate of the sputnik structure atop the doomed Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois, do not worry. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield removed the sputnik over the weekend and eventually will restore it for its neon museum that coincidentally opens today, according to the State Journal-Register. The fiberglass ball of … Continue reading Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum
What I did on my vacation
The answer is: not much. It is supposed to be R&R time, after all. However, my ever-creative companion Emily (aka Redforkhippie) was busy at the historic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, painting images of extinct neon signs that once graced Route 66 in Tucumcari, plus one in nearby San Jon, in one of … Continue reading What I did on my vacation
Route 66 Neon Park planned in mid-Missouri
A Route 66 Neon Park is planned to be developed in a median of Route 66 in the mid-Missouri town of St. Robert, according to a news release from a Pulaski County Route 66 organization, and a Kickstarter campaign has been launched to help the park become a reality. The neon park will be in … Continue reading Route 66 Neon Park planned in mid-Missouri
Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
Albuquerque is considering an ordinance change that would make it easier to turn vacant and abandoned signs along old Route 66 into public art, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Ellen Babcock of the Friends of the Orphan Signs nonprofit is one of those who support the idea. The newspaper said: The art can be featured on … Continue reading Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday
The annual Mill Car Cruise-In classic-car show will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the landmark but long-closed Route 66 restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois. The event also serves as a fundraiser in ongoing efforts to preserve The Mill. Geoff Ladd, former leader of Logan County Tourism, a Route 66 Heritage Foundation of … Continue reading Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday