Here’s an item from the Ontario (Calif.) Daily Bulletin that’s a bit discouraging:

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The historic gas station on Foothill Boulevard west of Archibald Avenue, one of the last relics of the Route 66 days, has been fenced off for some time now but the city says no plans for the station have been set in concrete.The station dates back to 1915 and there were once talks of constructing an office project that would incorporate the landmark, but the approval for those plans has since expired. The city says without developer involvement, the station’s future is uncertain.

Legends of America has vintage and current photos of the old Richland Oil Station.

Several weeks ago, it appeared the historic Western Motel in Bethany, Okla., was in jeopardy. The manager was busted during a prostitution sting, and the city filed a notice to abate the nuisance — usually a first step that leads to a motel’s demolition.

But things have changed. The motel’s owner, Ken Patel, has taken the initiative to save his property and is doing a full-blown renovation, according to the Daily Oklahoman.

The Western Motel, 7600 NW 39 Expressway, is undergoing a remodeling job that will continue through August, Patel said Monday.

The 24 motel rooms are being painted, new carpet is being ordered and heating and air conditioning units and plumbing parts are being replaced if needed, Patel said. A stockade fence will soon separate the motel from property on the south side and the parking lot will be repaved, he said.

“I think this is a really good location and that’s why I’m putting money into it,” Patel said. “We want to get people to come back.”

As a result, the city has backed off from filing nuisance papers against the property.

City Attorney David Davis said Monday any further action that could lead to closing the motel has been put on hold since Ken Patel is fixing things up.

“He (Ken Patel) is trying to re-establish his business,” Davis said. “If he can do that, and since he is going to invest some money into it, I doubt it will go back to the way it was. That would be good for the city.”

Davis said he has not filed a civil motion in district court that could lead to closure of the motel.

“I was waiting to see some progress and it appears at this point they are going to remodel it,” Davis said.

Here’s an encouraging sign that Patel’s efforts are sincere.

Now, Ken Patel and his wife have moved from their home in Yukon to live on the motel grounds.

When a property owner actually resides on the property, that shows commitment.

In Divernon, Ill., there’s a big Abraham Lincoln figure that sits on a gigantic covered wagon, right off Route 66. The wagon is 40 feet long, 20 feet tall, and the wheels alone are 10 feet tall. It weighs five tons. You can see and read about the Giant Lincoln on a Covered Wagon at the Roadside America site.

According to the Lincoln (Ill.) Courier, the wagon’s owner wants to sell it, but wishes it would remain on Route 66. Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County — the one who got the ball rolling to save The Mill — wants to buy it and move it to Lincoln.

Ladd says he already has $3,000 to $4,000 in pledges to cover the $12,000 it would take to buy the wagon and move it. Ladd asked the Lincoln City Council to contribute money to the effort and provide input on the wagon’s final site — preferably near Route 66.

Ladd wants a quick decision from the council, as he fears the wagon will be snapped up by Springfield tourism supporters. But between Ladd’s enthusiasm, his track record in getting things done and several city officials’ intrigue with the idea, I wouldn’t be surprised Lincoln lands the Big Lincoln and his Big Wagon.

The Tulsa World reports today that the City Council is expected to allow part of southwest Tulsa, known as Red Fork, to participate in the Oklahoma Main Street revitalization and preservation program. It would last for three years and cost $150,000.

It would recognize what is being called Red Fork Main Street, which encompasses two blocks on either side of Southwest Boulevard stretching from 49th West Avenue to the Arkansas River.

“If we can stage a comeback for this part of the city, we will all benefit,” Councilor Rick Westcott said during Tuesday’s council committee meetings. [...]

The program provides technical support, planning, expertise and access to resources that help communities preserve historic buildings and make them economically viable.

Southwest Boulevard is part of old Route 66.

Red Fork is most associated with a string of old buildings on Southwest Boulevard near 41st Street West, across the road from Ollie’s Station restaurant. Many of those buildings had stood vacant for years. But there’s been a lot of activity around them in recent months. The Red Fork Art Gallery opened there, and there appears to be renovation of another space going on.

Participation in the Main Street program had been rumored for months, which may have a lot to do with the excitement around the Red Fork district. I’ve heard that Mayor Kathy Taylor is strongly on board with the Red Fork Main Street program. Her endorsement carries heft, so the City Council’s passage of the program appears likely.

Also, the Quay County Sun in Tucumcari, N.M., reports that the town was accepted into the New Mexico MainStreet project to help boost downtown. Route 66 doesn’t go through downtown Tucumcari, but it contains enough attractions — including the historic Odeon theater — that many Route 66 travelers are familiar with it.

According to the story, it appears Tucumcari’s downtown is already on an upswing with activity, including a new restaurant coming soon.

UPDATE: Enrollment in the Red Fork Main Street program was approved by the Tulsa City Council.

Jim Conkle of the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation is going to start filming pilots for a television series about Route 66 that will be similar in format to Charles Kuralt’s “On the Road.” The series is being pitched to Fox, HGTV and local stations.

He wants to interview as many Route 66 aficionados as possible. Here are the locations in California:

Monday, Dec. 18
Summit Inn, Cajon Pass 9 a.m.
Mother Road Museum, Barstow 11 a.m.
Route 66 Motel, Barstow noon
California Route 66 Museum, Victorville 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 19
Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino 9 a.m
Route 66 Memories, Rancho Cucamonga 11 a.m.
La Plaza Park, San Bernardino 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20
California Theatre, San Bernardino 9 a.m.
Wall of Fame, San Bernardino 11 a.m.
Library, San Bernardino 1 p.m. (this will be two shootings).

If you need to reach Conkle, call his cell at (760) 617-3991 or e-mail jimconkle(at)verizon.net

Those who’ve traveled the Mother Road know that the restoration of the historic Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., has been ongoing for years.

That restoration is one big step closer to being complete because of a $250,000 grant, theater director Barbara Smith told the Joplin (Mo.) Globe.

“The grant will complete the balcony project, and with the exception of a few smaller items, the restoration of the Coleman Theatre will be completed [my emphasis],” Smith said.

The balcony holds seating for 500, she said. The project is expected to begin in January and be completed in a year, she said. [...]

The grant comes from the Albert W. Cherne Foundation of Edina, Minn., which has awarded the theater restoration group several smaller grants in the past, Smith said. [...]

Also expected to be completed in 2007 is the 5,000-square-foot ballroom on the second floor, she said.

Other renovations include adding a kitchen, small breakout rooms, restrooms, an elevator and access to the mezzanine of the main theater.

The Metro Diner closed a few weeks ago to make way for a new entrance at the University of Tulsa. On Tuesday, the landmark Route 66 restaurant’s cooking equipment and memorabilia were auctioned.

KOTV in Tulsa has the story.