By mid-March, Visit Springfield, Missouri plans to move its downtown visitor welcome center a few blocks west on Route 66, across the street from the historic Gillioz Theatre. That's just a few weeks before the city's massive Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event that begins in late April. Mark Hecquet, president and CEO of the tourism bureau, told the Springfield Business … Continue reading Springfield visitors center moving across the street from Gillioz Theatre
Tag: Springfield MO
Acts, events announced for Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event
The official Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event on April 30-May 3 in Springfield, Missouri, will include a live telecast, a bunch of prominent country and rock acts and a nationally known actor as the emcee. The kickoff concert begins at 5 p.m. that day at Great Southern Bank Arena. The concert will be hosted by … Continue reading Acts, events announced for Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event
“Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza” planned for downtown Springfield
A “Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza” is planned for downtown Springfield, Missouri, at the spot where local highway officials chose No. 66 for the Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway. The spot at Jefferson Avenue at Park Central East is the former site of the long-gone Colonial Hotel. That's where transportation officials chose No. 66 for the highway and … Continue reading “Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza” planned for downtown Springfield
Rockwood Motor Court inducted into Historic Hotels of America
The Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri, announced it has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America,, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States. Rockwood Motor Court is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the country recognized by … Continue reading Rockwood Motor Court inducted into Historic Hotels of America
Report: City of Springfield waited until day of Rancho Court’s teardown to give other options
Last week, we learned the historic Rancho Court motel in Springfield, Missouri, was torn down. This week, Steve Pokin of the Springfield Daily Citizen used his usual shoe-leather skills to find out why the razing of the Route 66 landmark occurred. The gist: The city didn't provide other options for the owner until the day … Continue reading Report: City of Springfield waited until day of Rancho Court’s teardown to give other options
Six-story mural painted on building in Springfield, Missouri
A six-story mural was recently painted on an apartment building along Route 66 at a prominent intersection in Springfield, Missouri. KY3 in Springfield reported: The massive artwork stands on the east side of Jefferson Avenue at St. Louis Street, featuring elements that pay homage to both Route 66 and the region’s outdoor heritage. The mural … Continue reading Six-story mural painted on building in Springfield, Missouri
Rancho Court motel in Springfield, Missouri, is torn down
The historic Rancho Court motel along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, abruptly met its end after the city declared it a nuisance and approved a demolition permit. KY3 in Springfield in its report on Thursday showed an image of rubble where the motel at 1544 E. Kearney Ave. (aka Route 66) stood. The station reported: … Continue reading Rancho Court motel in Springfield, Missouri, is torn down
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
Richard Nixon’s stance at Route 66 hotel helped usher in desegregation in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader recently published a story about how future U.S. President Richard Nixon's stand at a Route 66 hotel in Springfield, Missouri, in 1960 helped pave the way for racial desegregation in the region. Nixon was vice president at the time and was campaigning as a Republican candidate for president. It was September. The … Continue reading Richard Nixon’s stance at Route 66 hotel helped usher in desegregation in Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 gateway monument coming to Springfield, Missouri, by April
A large Route 66 gateway monument reported to cost up to $1 million will arrive in Springfield, Missouri, by April next year, during the highway's centennial. The Springfield News-Leader reported that Visit Springfield, formerly known as the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, is pursuing the 20-by-32-foot monument as a gateway into downtown and signaling to travelers … Continue reading Route 66 gateway monument coming to Springfield, Missouri, by April