The town of Canute, Oklahoma, has landed a $695,000 grant through the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, state officials confirmed last week to KECO radio in nearby Elk City. Among the projects for the grant is the restoration of the iconic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign and repainting of the Washita Motel sign. Funds … Continue reading Canute awarded nearly $700,000 grant, including to restore Cotton Boll Motel sign
Tag: Route 66 centennial
Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations
Springfield, Missouri, has been chosen from a national search to be the host city for the kickoff of Route 66's centennial celebrations next year. According to the Springfield News-Leader, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Springfield had been selected by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. As the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations
Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
The seventh season of Fast TV Network’s "Legends of Route 66" has been recommended as an "Official Route 66 Centennial Project." Commission member Bill Thomas stated in the letter to the network: “Congratulations, Fast TV Network's Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven project has been recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as … Continue reading Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project
The first of 45 new neon signs coming to Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, was recently installed as part of the town's forthcoming Route 66 centennial celebration. Here's what the new sign looks like at night: Charles Palmer, one of the movers and shakers for the Stroud Route 66 neon project, told Route 66 News … Continue reading First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project
Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition
The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Route 66 Postcard Road Trip has been selected as one of 11 finalists in the Humanities category for the 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps competition. The Route 66 Postcard Road Trip was selected from over 570 submissions from student and professional storytellers invited to “build stories about the world they want to see.” … Continue reading Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition
Albuquerque unveils website to count down to Route 66’s centennial, related events
The City of Albuquerque unveiled a new website last week that counts down to Route 66's centennial in 2026 and events related to it. The $34,000 website -- at visitalbuquerque.org/route-66-centennial -- was announced on Tuesday at the still-not-open, $13 million Route 66 Visitors Center on the city's west side. The Albuquerque Journal reported an opening … Continue reading Albuquerque unveils website to count down to Route 66’s centennial, related events
Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo to remain an annual event after 2026
The City of Amarillo's tourism department recently announced the Texas Route 66 Festival, which began last summer, will continue to be an annual event after the highway's centennial in 2026. The decision from Visit Amarillo came after the 2024 event proved to be a success and had a good effect on local businesses, reported KVII-TV … Continue reading Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo to remain an annual event after 2026
Illinois lawmaker files resolution to celebrate a century of Route 66 next year
A state lawmaker in Illinois has filed a resolution that would celebrate Route 66's centennial next year. State Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) filed the resolution that would officially designate 2026 as the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Year, reported WCIA-TV. Route 66 goes through Balkema's 53rd Senate District, including the towns of Dwight, Odell, Pontiac and Chenoa. Balkema touted the … Continue reading Illinois lawmaker files resolution to celebrate a century of Route 66 next year
New bill would create revolving loan fund for Route 66 in Oklahoma
A bill has been introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature that would end the expiration date of the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission and create a revolving loan fund for the highway. State Rep. Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa), who also is House Majority Leader, introduced House Bill 1571 for the legislature's 60th session. He also wrote the bill … Continue reading New bill would create revolving loan fund for Route 66 in Oklahoma
Tulsa plans statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026
The City of Tulsa is planning a statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026, that includes a huge car parade and other events. News on 6 in Tulsa was the first to have the story, though details still are a bit fuzzy. One of the tentative events is a parade featuring thousands of … Continue reading Tulsa plans statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026