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Commission backs Route 66 magazine participation and narrows marker sites to Big Chief Roadhouse, Route 66 Roadside Park
Summary
The commission endorsed continued participation with a regional Route 66 commemorative magazine and asked staff to return to council with more information on sponsorship. Separately, the commission directed staff to study two sites — Big Chief Roadhouse and the Route 66 Roadside Park — as finalists for a Route 66 historic marker.
Historic Route 66 coverage and marker placement were major topics at the meeting. Commissioners endorsed moving forward with a regional commemorative magazine project for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and directed staff to return with more detail before the city commits to a sponsored page purchase.
Staff described the publication as a special edition produced by a regional publisher; the publisher asked each participating community to sponsor dedicated pages. Staff said the cost for three pages for Wildwood would be approximately $4,140 and that the publisher expects to print roughly 5,000 copies while also providing an electronic edition. Commissioners agreed the publication could promote the city’s Route 66 attractions and foster partnerships with neighboring communities. The commission voted to proceed with further information and “to go forward with the magazine project as a whole,” but made no fiscal commitment that night.
The commission then discussed a proposed local Route 66 historic marker and five candidate locations: Big Chief Roadhouse, Wildwood Middle School/Wildwood school property (across from Big Chief), Living Word Church property, the former Pond Hotel site, the Route 66 Roadside Park (a city‑owned parcel), and Wildwood Christian Church. Staff preference was for a Pond‑area location with strong visual association, listing the Big Chief Roadhouse as the top recommendation, followed by the Pond Hotel site.
Commission debate divided. Several commissioners favored Big Chief because of its strong historic association, visibility and parking; others preferred the Route 66 Roadside Park, citing pedestrian access and that the city owns the parcel. After discussion, a commissioner moved that staff narrow further study to two sites — Big Chief Roadhouse and the Route 66 Roadside Park — and prepare additional information on access, ownership and parking. Kurt seconded the motion and the commission approved it by raised hand.
Staff said next steps would include investigating access rights, landowner permissions and fabrication/design options for the marker, then returning with refined recommendations for installation and placement.
Votes at the meeting on these topics were procedural endorsements: the commission approved proceeding with further information on the magazine and separately approved narrowing the marker site study to the two locations listed above; no binding financial commitment or final site selection was made at the meeting.
