Along66, Oct. 2022: The Tee Pee Drive-In and All That Neon

OCTOBER 24

The Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to show movies for the first time in 20 years on Halloween weekend.  It is on the west side of Sapulpa.  

Always nice to have something old, especially a drive-in theater,  reopening on the road.

OCTOBER 28

Restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe sign in Vinita, Oklahoma.

One of the newest cost-share grants announced by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

Four of the announced grants involved neon signs.  The others:

**  Henning Motel sign in Newberry Spring, California

**  Road Runners retreat near Chambless, California

**  a DIY instrumental video on neon sign servicing and repair

You Can NEVER Have Too Much Neon In My Book.  --RoadDog

Return of Chicago's Roar: Those Lions at the Art Institute

From the July 20, 2022, Chicago Tribune by Doug George.

Part of anyone's initial drive on Route 66 in Chicago are the pair of iconic lion statues at the front of the Chicago Art Institute.  They went back to work Tuesday, after returning from a month of conservation work.

They now sport a fresh coat of wax after receiving a deep cleaning and coating of the protective wax at Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio, Inc, an art restoration service in west suburban Forest Park.

The lions were removed on June 14, having been outside for 128 years.  It was their first deep cleaning in decades. They were also checked for corrision.

The bronze statues were sculpted by artist Edward Kemeys for the museumin 1893, in time for the first Chicago World's Fair, and commissioned by Florence Lathrop Field, wife of Henry Field.  The lions were installed the following year.  The lion on the north pedestal is "on the prowl."  The other one is "In an attitude of defiance" on the south pedestal.

They have since been Chicago icons (wearing sports apparel when Chicago teams win championships), predating and the equal to Buckingham Fountain (1927), the Wrigley Building (finished 1924), the Picasso (1967) and, of course, Cloud Gate (the Bean) (2006).

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Steak 'N Shake, Totem Pole Park and Oklahoma Rt. 66 Museum

AUGUST 9--  Steak 'N Shake using Route 66 shirts with the revival of their carhop service.  Just the thing for these virus times.  After all, the chain started in Illinois on Route 66.  Founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois,  in 1934.

AUGUST 10--  Celebration set for Saturday for completing of Totem Pole Park restoration.  That restoration has been going on for five years now.  A lot of work has been done on the 90-foot tall totem pole at Ed Galloway's near Foyil, Oklahoma.

There will also be a free bluegrass concert at the festivities.  

Always a worthy several mile detour off Route 66 if you are in the area.

AUGUST 11--  The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton will be marking its 25th anniversary.  They claim to be the largest more museums.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Nov. 2019: Preservation Plan for Oklahoma's Route 66 Sidewalk Highway

NOVEMBER 19--  Ottawa County, Oklahoma to proceed with preservation plan for the Sidewalk Highway near Miami.

This will include a bike and hiking trail.

Much to neat of a Route 66 aspect to let go.

--Roaddog

Military Convoy Comes to Clinton-- Part 2

Convoy participation wasn't limited to the United States.  Paul Baptist was in it and he is from New Zealand.  He is not driving a military vehicle, but follows the column and provides mechanical support.  This is his second convoy.

"It is absolutely inspirational to see the respect that the community shows towards its military and its veterans," said Baptist.  "It really humbles us to see that respect from the public, and that joy and enthusiasm that we're shown as we pass through towns, it's really incredible."

Young children were lifted by their parents or grandparents to peer into the vehicles.  Older veterans posed in front of vehicles from their era of service.   There were also older cars with the group.

The convoy was commemoration the historic 1919 military convoy that drove from coast-to-coast across the United States on its 100 anniversary.

It was quite a chance happening that we saw evidently the end of the convoy as only counted about 12 vehicles.

But, What a Rush.  --RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Two Neon Signs Reinstalled in Albuquerque

JULY 19:  Two neon signs were reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The De Anza Motor Lodge is a restored new hotel, apartments, businesses, restaurants.  It was built in 1939 by Charles Wallace, a Zuni trader and Indian art collector.

A reproduction of the original Monterey Motel sign has been relit.  It is near the El Vado Motel.

It was opened in 1946 as the Davis Court and was renamed Monterey Court by 1954.  For a long time it was known as the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel.

Give Me That Old Time Neon.  --RoadDog

About That 2019 MPVA Transcontinental Motor Convoy-- Part 1

From the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) site.

The MVPA will be conducting a 100th anniversary convoy across the United States in 2019 with as many as 90 military vehicles  retracing the original 1919  U.S. Army  Transcontinental Convoy route- much of it along the famed Lincoln Highway.

It will launch from Washington, D.C. on 11 August and arrive in San Francisco, CA. some 37 days later on September 14.  One of the highlights of it will be departing  from the MVPA 44th Annual International Convention in York, PA on August 10.

We are expecting over 50 historic vehicles to make the entire 3,200 mile run with over fifty others joining for parts of it.

--RoadConvoy

Along 66, June 2019: Save the Gasconade Bridge and Muffler Man Reunited With Arms and Axe

JUNE 11--  The Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issued an "urgent call to action."  The bridge is located near Hazelgren, Missouri.  According to the MoDOT the bridge is imminent danger of demolition unless a new owned can be found by the spring of 2020.

Hopefully, a new owner will be found as it is a beautiful bridge.  We were able to see it in June on the east bound lanes of I-44.  You can't see it west bound.

JUNE 12--  Restoration is complete on the muffler man lumberjack in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It lost its arms and axe at the May Cafe on Central Avenue which was Route 66.

Love Those Muffler Men.  --RoadDog

Along 66, May 2019: Trying to Save a Motel and the Gemini Giant

MAY 14--  Lurvey Court Motel in Springfield, Missouri, received a reprieve from the wrecking ball earlier this month and volunteers cleared brush from around the long-closed and endangered motel.

The volunteers hope that now that decision-makers can get a better look, perhaps they will allow it to stand.
The motel has been long-closed.

Of course, I'd like to see it saved, but only if a reuse can be found for it.

MAY  15--  The Launching Pad Drive-In  in Wilmington, Illinois, began restoration of the famed Gemini Giant statue.  The 28-foot tall muffler/astronaut guy is fifty years old and draws a lot of gawking.  Who needs a muffler if you can have a rocket?

--RoadGemini

Along 66, March 2019: Efforts At the Painted Desert Trading Post

MARCH 21--  An original Route 66 road side shield is to be auctioned off for the Painted Desert Trading Post project.

An enthusiast is offering it on e-Bay.  It was used between 1981 and 1985 in Texas, but the exact location is not known.  As of March 28, the sign had 30 bids on it and the amount was over $1,100.

Also at auction is a 1940 Conoco map.

MARCH 25--  The Painted Desert Trading Post in Arizona finally got a new roof.  The building was getting in worse and worse shape so it is good to see some Route 66 enthusiasts are taking care of it.

We'd sure hate to have another John's Modern Cabins.

Get A Real Piece of 66  for the Trading Post.  --RoadDog

Along 66, Jan. 2019: Camp Joy Cabin in Lebanon and Bedrock City in Arizona

JANUARY 30--  The last standing cabin of Camp Joy in Lebanon, Missouri has been donated to the Lebanon Route 66 group.  It is a 16-foot square structure.  It is located across the street from The Cowan Civic Center.

Camp Joy was built on a four-acre site in 1927 and closed in 1981  Some famous folks who stayed there were Bonnie and Clyde Barrow, Pretty Boy Floyd and Tex Ritter.  After that the cabins became long-term rentals.  All but this last one were torn down in 2010.

The cabin was donated by its owner, Lee Sing of Sing rentals.

The cabin is to be restored. But nothing was said about where it would be.  Liz and I read about it in the excellent tourist booklet put out by the county this past summer and drove over to see it.  We didn't know it was there before that.

JANUARY 31--  Bedrock City, near Williams, Arizona, inspired by "The Flintstones" TV show, has closed.  It is on 30 acres near Valle, Arizona.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Dec. 2018: High Winds Tear Off One of the MIll's Blades

DECEMBER 30--   High winds break off one of the blades of the Mill's windmill in Lincoln, Illinois.  They are raising money to restore it.

The Mill is now a museum and looking really good thanks to a lot of hard work.  The sails and outside of the museum were restored by John Weiss and the Preservation Crew of the Illinois Route 66 Association.

The Mill originally opened in 1929 and reopened as a museum in 2017.

This is where you can find artifacts from Lincoln's Tropics Restaurant as well as Ernie Edwards' Pig Hip in nearby Broadwell.

--RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, April 2017: The El Vado Motel to reopen

These items are taken from the Route 66 News site.  This site has a lot more things in it, but I just choose the ones I am most interested in and have comments about them.  Plus, there is a lot more information and pictures.  If you want to know ANYTHING about Route 66, go to this site.

APRIL 2--  El Vado Motel work begins in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and hope to have it finished by August 1.  It will be reopening as a boutique motel.  Ponderosa Brewing is to open a tap room on premises and there will be food pods, 21 motel rooms and retail spaces.

This is an $18 million project and $3 million has come from the city.

Daniel Murphy opened the El Vado Auto Court Motel on Route 66 in 1937.  It was listed on the NRHP in 1993 and closed in 2005.

Always great when an old and neat-looking structure is re-purposed and svaed.

Albuquerque putting its money where its mouth is!

Congratulations to All.  --RoadDoh

Saving the Lincoln Highways's Chief Black Hawk-- Part 3

The Rausas immediately got to work on saving their statue.  Frank Rausas wrote a grant for money that was rejected.  They then established a group, The friends of the Black Hawk Statue Committee and were able to have it placed on the National register of Historic Places.

They then began speaking at various organizations like the Rotary, alumni associations and historical societies.  They came up with a "Pennies for Black Hawk" which encouraged school children to contribute coins.  A computer graphics class at Sterling High School produced a 13-minute DVD on the Eternal Indian.

Their efforts did not go for naught and caught the attention of bigger benefactors.  The state came up with a $350,000 grant.  The Jeffris Family Foundation of Janesville, Wisconsin contributed a $150,000 matching grant.  The annual Oregon Trail Days celebration in Oregon raised about $50,000 over five years.  Other organizations also contributed.

The restoration fund rose to $740,000.  The total, however, may come to more after crews begin tearing off deteriorating sections and better understand what is needed.  The Rausas have set a final goal of $825,000 to cover it and start an ongoing maintenance fund.

Some Really Great People.  --RoadDog

Saving the Lincoln Highway's Chief Black Hawk-- Part 2: How It Became Chief Black Hawk

Their quest to save the statue began in 2008 at their home in Sterling, Illinois, after they read a newspaper story about the loss of state funding for Black Hawk.  She turned to her husband Frank, 72, and said, ""Frank, the American people fixed the Statue of Liberty.  Now, doggone it, we need to fix the Black Hawk statue."

The 103-year-old statue, actually named the Eternal Indian, was designed by acclaimed sculptor Lorado Taft, and acquired the Black Hawk name as a reference to the martyred Native American who led his people during what is called the Black Hawk War in 1832.  It looks nothing like the man, however.

The face actually is considered to be either a composite of American Indian men or perhaps that of one of Taft's close friends, writer Hamlin Garland who lived in an art colony that occupied the area before it became a state park.

--RoadDog

Saving the Lincoln Highway's Chief Black Hawk-- Part 1: Meet the Rausas

From the Jan. 2, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Activist Undaunted by diagnosis" by Ted Gregory.

Most folks driving along the old Lincoln Highway make a side trip in western Illinois out to see the 103-year-old Eternal Indian statue (referred to most as Chief Black Hawk) located in Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois.  Those seeing it right now would hardly recognize it as it is now shrouded in a green nylon material and scaffolding as it awaits restoration slated to start this spring.

And it has that material because of the efforts of Charron and Frank Rausa who have pulled off an improbable campaign to save the 48-foot, 270-ton statue.  They have raised some 90% of the money needed to renovate it at its site on the bluffs above the Rock River, some 100 miles from Chicago.

Sadly, Charron, 79, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer which has spread throughout her body.  She had decided not to find out how long she has to live as she is determined to be around for the statue's unveiling sometime late in 2015.

--RoadDog

Route 66 in Illinois-- Part 2

Continuing with the Route 66 news Summer 2011 magazine. In case some of you are not members of the Rt. 66 Illinois Association.


PRESERVATION REMINISCES BY DOROTHY McMULLEN

With photos of the Odell Station back then and now and the Route 4 sign at the Pontiac bridge. Major Duke got her interested in the association. (Tom Teague, Bill Shea and Rich Henry got us interested.) Frank and Roxanne Lozich were instrumental in getting the Preservation Committee started and in 1995, 20 interested people met at the Riviera (sure miss it) and that was the start.

When Frank decided to run the association, he stepped down from the preservation committee and Dorothy suggested Lenore and John Weiss. "The rest is preservation history."

Other Preservation projects besides the photos are the Meramec Caverns signs on the barns in Cayuga and Hamel, the relocation and restoration of the Bunyan Giant to Atlanta, the "subway" in Odell and the Mill in Lincoln.

A Bit of Illinois History. --RoadDog

July-August 2010 Preservation Magazine

If for no other reason than to get this wonderful magazine, a membership in the National Trust for Historic Preservation is worth it.

The July-August issue featured the Eleven Most Endangered Historical Sites which I wrote four entries about.

Other interesting articles were on:

Austin, Texas' SOUTH CONGRESS neighborhood which was in bad shape at one time, but is flourishing again with all sorts of quirky stuff.

Alabama's LOST CAPITALS about two long-abandoned towns, St. Stephens, which was capital of the territory of Alabama in 1817, and Old Cahawba, and was the new state's capital from 1820 to 1826.

Detroit's Michigan Central Station about a once-glorious structure that faces such an uncertain future. The Beaux-Arts landmark was built in 1913 and closed in 1988 and now stands in ruin. Eric Smith has done a striking photo essay that will take your breath away.

I've been watching the new series on "Detroit 1-8-7" and the first episode had a segment of a chase through the building which really struck home the building's plight.

Well Worth a Read, and Don't Forget to Join the NTHP. --RoadDog

America's Eleven Most Endangered Historical Sites-- Part 3

From the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This annual list is always a great thing to get peoples' attention directed at some important places that may no longer be with us if things continue as they are.

HINCHLIFFE STADIUM-- PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY: It's glory days were when it was home to the New York Black Yankees of the Negro League. This was back when blacks were not allowed to play Major League Baseball even if they had all the abilities.

Constructed in 1932 and could seat up to 10,000 spectators.

It has become home to vagrants, gangs and drug users. Owned by the city schools, but they can't afford the maintenance. Last November, city voters approved an $11 million allocation to restore the stadium, but the city hasn't of yet released the funds.


PAGAT-- YIGO, GUAM: The remains of the island's indigenous people, the Chamarro, with over 50 mounds containing evidence of day-to-day life. Guam is a US territory.

The US military plans to relocated8,600 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam which might cause damage to the site.

One More to Go, the Merritt Parkway. --RoadDog

America's Eleven Most Endangered Historical Sites-- Part 2

THREEFOOT BUILDING-- MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI--16 stories of art deco completed 1929. About 20 % has always been vacant and tower in disrepair, broken windows and facade terra cotta has fallen.

JUANA BRIONES HOUSE-- PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA-- A woman of many talents and a landowner back when women just didn't own land in the 1840s. Vacant and deteriorating. Owners have applied for demolition permit.

METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-- WASHINGTON, DC-- From the 1880s, near the White House. In desperate need of repairs, stabilization and updating.

WILDERNESS BATTLEFIELD-- ORANGE AND SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTIES, VIRGINIA-- Wal Mart building a 140,000 square foot store on the edge of the battlefield. This has been quite a news story for the last two years.

Of course, as a Civil War buff, I'm "agin'" it.

Preserving the Old Stuff, One Thing at a Time. --RoadDog