Tommy Pike, former president of Route 66 Association of Missouri, dies

Tommy Pike, who was once president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri for about 20 years, has died. An obituary had not been posted as of Saturday. Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri, did not give details of Pike's death, citing privacy laws. However, a spokesperson at the funeral home confirmed it handled … Continue reading Tommy Pike, former president of Route 66 Association of Missouri, dies

$25,000 grant awarded to support Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit

The Missouri Humanities Council awarded a $25,000 grant to the Route 66 Association of Missouri in support of a project titled “The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” and an $8,000 grant to support programs associated with the project. “The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” celebrates the legacy of the Mother Road and its role in … Continue reading $25,000 grant awarded to support Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit

Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

The Route 66 Association of Missouri announced Thursday it had acquired four neon signs -- including from the Ozark Court and La Casa Grande Motel -- for a future neon park development. Rich Dinkela, president of the association, bought the signs for $44,400 from the estate of St. Louis-area sign collector Greg Rhomberg so they … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted

The Park Plaza Courts motel neon sign along Route 66 in St. Louis was relighted for the first time in 50 years during a ceremony Saturday night. Here is a video from the scene by Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. More images from Route 66 enthusiast and author Joe Sonderman. … Continue reading Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted

Relighting of Park Plaza Courts neon set for the evening of April 13

The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently announced it will hold a ceremonial relighting of the Park Plaza Courts neon sign at 8 p.m. April 13. The relighting will occur at the Holiday Inn Southwest at 10709 Watson Road (aka Route 66) in St. Louis. The association has reserved a block of rooms at the … Continue reading Relighting of Park Plaza Courts neon set for the evening of April 13

Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns

The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently fenced off the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, because of safety concerns about its deck. Gary Sosniecki, a key contributor to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, posted on Facebook about the situation: Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri said on Sept. 7, … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns

Route 66 Association of Missouri now is selling a special black Route 66 license plate

The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently announced it is offering an exclusive black Route 66 license plate, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue. The plate can be ordered online here. Once ordered, it will arrive in your mailbox in four to six weeks. The association passed along this information about the plate: … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri now is selling a special black Route 66 license plate

Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored

The restoration of the historic neon sign for Webb City Florist in Webb City, Missouri, was unveiled during a ceremony last week hosted by the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Association President Rich Dinkela hosted a brief Facebook Live event from the night: Here are more images from the association: And here's an image from … Continue reading Neon sign at Webb City Florist is restored

Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring

The Route 66 Association of Missouri could take over ownership of the historic Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen by May or June. Gary Sosniecki wrote a report about the association's winter meeting at Route 66 State Park in Eureka for the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Association President Rich Dinkela and Vice President … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association could own historic Gasconade River Bridge by spring

Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins

A section of 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway, aka Ribbon Road, of Route 66 near Miami, Oklahoma, is undergoing a required Section 106 review before Ottawa County begins work to restore the century-old roadway. Section 106 is a review period required by the National Historic Preservation Act anytime work is imminent on or near historic properties. The … Continue reading Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins