The animated neon sign at the Donut Drive-In, 6525 Chippewa Avenue in Lindenwood Park, returned to life on November 1, 2008. Donut Drive-In first opened in 1952 on what was then Route 66, the nation's "Mother Road." Many of the St. Louis stretch's neon signs have disappeared, but not this one.The owners of the donut shop could not afford to restore the Route 66 icon on their own, but were able to complete restoration using a matching grant from the the Route 66 Corridor Program administered by the National Park Service. The Missouri Route 66 Association was instrumental in assisting the owners with the grant process.
Since its creation by the National Park Service in 2001, the Route 66 Corridor Program has helped allow property owners to act in the public interest when otherwise unable. (Perhaps the National Park Service needs a name that tells people that its noble work is not limited to preserving open space.)
Posts
5 comments:
I'll go next time back!
makes the Coral Courts that much sadder.
Great post, Michael. St. Louis has lost much in the way of it's Route 66 history. Additionally, this place has the best donuts in town!
Looks great! I really love these old neon and steel signs. So much more character than a metal box with plexi panels.
The doughnuts are great!
such great memories of the neighborhood!
the " best" was when the drive train on the 66 mustang "dropped off" as i peeled out right in front of the donut shop... no cell phones back then so the baker let me call my dad from there... and gave some free donuts cuz he knew id be in trouble.
Post a Comment