National Trust for Historic Preservation Announces $410,000 in New Grant Awards from Preserve Route 66 Initiative

As Route 66's centennial year gets underway, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a new round of grant awards from their Preserve Route 66 program. For this round, legacy business applications and non-profit/public agency applications were accepted at the same time, and more than $400,000 was awarded across the Route 66 corridor.

"Each of these grants represents more than a single project-they're part of our larger effort to secure a vibrant future for the Mother Road," reflected Milan Jordan, Senior Director of Preservation Programs. "As we enter the centennial, we're working to build a sustainable stewardship network that empowers local partners, strengthens community capacity, and connects new audiences to the history and culture of Route 66. These investments help ensure that Route 66 isn't just preserved-it's activated, experienced, and celebrated for generations to come."

Projects awarded through this program include neon restoration, historic interpretation, façade improvements, and more.

"We are so excited to get this money into these communities as 2026 starts," said Rhys Martin, Manager of the Preserve Route 66 program. "Everyone on the road is ready to celebrate the upcoming milestone year and we can't wait to see these projects come together."

The full list of grantees includes:

• $10,000 to Lou Mitchell's Restaurant & Bakery in Chicago, Illinois for neon repair and paint.
• $5,000 to Funk's Grove Pure Maple Sirup in Funk's Grove, Illinois for signage replacement.
• $2,700 to The Ariston Café in Litchfield, Illinois for kitchen tile and floor repair.
• $10,000 to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois for window replacement.
• $9,912 to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, Missouri for signage and wayfinding.
• $10,000 to the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri for roof repairs.
• $9,400 to the St. Louis Building Arts Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri for an exhibit about Route 66 through the St. Louis metropolitan area.
• $5,000 to Blissfully Popped Popcorn in Maplewood, Missouri for signage and façade work.
• $10,000 to Fanning 66 Outpost in Cuba, Missouri for structural repair and HVAC work.
• $10,000 to the Jackson Center in Marshfield, Missouri for paint and façade work.
• $10,000 to Pip's Beardcraft and Barber in Springfield, Missouri for sign installation.
• $10,000 to the Golden Rule Building in Galena, Kansas for interior restoration.
• $10,000 to the Dairy King in Commerce, Oklahoma for paint and kitchen rehabilitation.
• $10,000 to the City of Miami in Oklahoma for preservation planning related to a historic airport hangar.
• $10,000 to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association for a Will Rogers Highway granite monument.
• $4,070 to the Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Oklahoma for marquee and façade improvement.
• $10,000 to the Greenwood Community Development Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma for business signage in the historic Greenwood district.
• $9,983 to Gasoline Alley Classics in Sapulpa, Oklahoma for exterior signage.
• $10,000 to Anchor 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma for an outdoor seating expansion project.
• $10,000 to the Stroud Public Library in Stroud, Oklahoma for window repair.
• $10,000 to the Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma for interpretive center development.
• $10,000 to Egg and CàPhê in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for signage.
• $10,000 to Yukon American Legion Charities in Yukon, Oklahoma for neon signage at their American Legion hall.
• $10,000 to the Richardson Store in Montoya, New Mexico for electrical service work.
• $10,000 to Cornerstones Community Partnerships in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a preservation assessment at the San Miguel Chapel.
• $10,000 to the American Indian Alaksa Native Tourism Association in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the American Indians and Route 66 Mapping Project.
• $8,178 to the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance for neon restoration at the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
• $9,817 to the Albuquerque Community Foundation in Albuquerque, New Mexico for enhancement to the 'A Million Listeners for Route 66' oral history project.
• $7,500 to the Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post in Albuquerque, New Mexico for neon signage.
• $10,000 to the 66 Diner in Albuquerque, New Mexico for exterior restoration and structural work.
• $10,000 to the Berkana, Center for Media and Education for a documentary project related to US Highway 66 in New Mexico.
• $9,376 to the Williams Alliance for the Arts in Williams, Arizona for neon sign restoration at the Turquoise Tepee.
• $4,425 to the Ash Fork Historical Society in Ash Fork, Arizona for mapping work and collateral production.
• $10,000 to Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Original Route 66 Gift Shop in Seligman, Arizona for the restoration of the Seligman Pool Hall.
• $10,000 to Kingman Main Street in Kingman, Arizona for neon restoration at the Hotel Beale.
• $10,000 to the Bagdad Café in Newberry Springs, California for façade and signage repair.
• $10,000 to the Downtown Business Association in Barstow, California for paint and exterior lighting improvements.
• $5,000 to Route 66 Revitalization in Victorville, California for the restoration and relocation of The Trails Restaurant neon sign.
• $10,000 to the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California for exterior improvements.
• $10,000 to KVCR Public Media in San Bernardino, California for a documentary project related to Lopez v Seccombe.
• $10,000 to the Mitla Café in San Bernardino, California for HVAC work.
• $10,000 to Claremont Heritage in Claremont, California for a historic documentation project related to the cultural narratives of the community.
• $10,000 to Pashigan Brothers in Pasadena, California for the restoration of their historic billboard.
• $10,000 to the June L Mazer Lesbian Archives in West Hollywood, California for a digital mapping project related to legacy businesses along the Route 66 corridor.
• $10,000 to Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. in Santa Monica, California for a Route 66 beautification project.

Beyond the grant program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has several other projects in the works for Route 66's centennial year. Along with state and local partners, the National Trust is involved with a national Route 66 Centennial Caravan this summer to serve as a celebration of preservation wins over the last several decades while highlighting the need for ongoing preservation support beyond 2026. The National Trust is also the National Engagement Partner for the upcoming documentary The Main Street of America and a rolling road show of screenings in historic theaters along Route 66 in the fall.

To learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation's grant programs, storytelling initiatives, and other Route 66 work, check out www.preserveroute66.org.