Kansas Route 66 Historic Byway

06/20/2025

Michael Wallis reveals surprising truths about Belle Starr in his new book to help launch a new the Fort Smith Museum exhibit.

05/28/2025

Check out the impressive home on wheels that stopped at Cars on the Route today! Thank you Tobin and Carol Brown from Indiana, for visiting and showcasing your exceptional rig! Great Job!

05/17/2025

04/23/2025

Exciting times to be the Rainbow Bridge. If you need an excuse to travel to Kansas Route 66 this just might be it.

04/18/2025

Baxter Springs Historical Mural Ribbon Cutting and Dedication

The City of Baxter Springs, KS, in partnership with the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, The Department of Commerce, The Ronald O. Thomas Foundation, The Baxter Art Steering Committee, and The Baxter Chamber of Commerce celebrated the completion of a
large-scale mural installation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, October 14th, 2024 at 10 am. The mural covers the entire 100 x 12 ft. wall of the Water Works Plant building, facing east, on the corner of Hwy 69 and Route 66 across from the Baxter Springs
High School.
“After months of planning, discussion, and community engagement, we are thrilled to unveil Baxter Springs’ newest piece of public art”, stated Pam Mitchell, Baxter Chamber Tourism Chair and Kansas Historic Route 66 Association President. We’d like to thank the talented AJ and Jordan Wood for honoring our community with their creative vision.”
The following dignitaries and community members who were instrumental in moving the project forward were acknowledged and introduced.
Mayor Kelly Abbott, Baxter City Council Members, Senator Tim Shallenburger, Dale Helwig, Cherokee County Economic Development Director, Jim Hoskins, Trustee of The Ronald O Thomas Foundation, Trisha Purdon, Kansas Office of Rural Development, Art Steering Committee Members: Mary Beth Smith, Phyliss Abbott, Lori Kellem,, Vicki O’Neal, Pam Mitchell and Jennifer Burton, Matt Biddle and Sheldon Bales, Casey Roberts, and of course, AJ and Jordan Wood, Artists.
“This is the first of many murals we hope to complete in Baxter Springs. We are incredibly grateful for Mayor Abbott’s and the City Council’s support. I’d like to esp. Thank, Sheldon Bales and Matt Biddle. They have invested countless personal hours in this project. While on their journey across Historic Route 66, many groups from other countries have already stopped and spoken with the artists. They’ve overwhelmingly commented on the historical detail of the mural and added it to their favorites. Plans include electric lighting to be installed above the mural, as well as an informational Kiosk in the adjacent Military Park,’’ stated Jennifer Burton, Art Steering Committee Chair.
Mrs. Burton added, “The father-son duo, AJ and Jordan Wood, based in Joplin, MO. were selected in April of this year after thoughtful consideration of several applicants. The selection was based on their strong conceptual presentation of a historical theme and their proven skills in previous large-scale paintings. The Wood’s design concept was based on input from several meetings of local historians, art enthusiasts, the steering committee, and extensive research of their own”.

04/18/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baLX72EMmhE

Route 66, Civil War, Mining, Cowtown....we have it all! Check it all out on this Iconic Mural! The longest mural on Route 66 in Kansas! www.route66travels....

12/20/2024

As many of our members begin their Christmas vacation today, we hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their upcoming holidays and is able to relax with their family! Thank you to the many members who had a hand in this design.

12/19/2024

Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City Request For Proposals Released

Route 66, USA –The Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, an Official Route 66 Centennial Project recommended by the U.S.
Route 66 Centennial Commission offers a once-in-a century opportunity for a city somewhere along the Mother Road
to receive national and international attention.

Interested entities along Route 66 are invited to submit a proposal to be the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City.
Contact Bill Thomas, Chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, for details.

The historic anniversary of the Route 66 Centennial will commence with a live, online media event combined with
on-the- ground celebrations in a community selected as the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. Only
one city will be designated the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, providing an exclusive opportunity
to promote itself and attract visitors to its own Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off events and activities. Other sites along
Route 66 will be virtually linked to the Host City throughout the online Kick-Off and invited to plan their own on-site
celebrations.

Because of its historical significance, April 30, 2026, is the proposed date for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. It was
that day in 1926 that "66" was assigned as the official number for a new Chicago to Santa Monica highway.
Discussions regarding the proposed date are underway with Route 66 stakeholders across Route 66 and will include
consultation with the selected Host City to ensure this date works well for the parties involved.

Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments' Fund, The Route 66 Road
Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through
partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.

# # #

Contact:
Bill Thomas, Chairman
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
[email protected]
217-648-5077

Happy Holidays from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. We appreciate your help in sharing this press release with appropriate media outlets and Route 66 stakeholders.
Thank you and best regards,
Chris Thomas