Don’t use them for a fill-up

The City of Joliet, Ill., found a unique way to kick off its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 tourism campaign. It has placed fiberglass replica gas pumps at various historical landmarks, complete with informational placards, reports the Joliet Herald News. The story contains a photo of a Texaco gas pump in front of the Rialto … Continue reading Don’t use them for a fill-up

Soulful 66

This is a good one. Veteran blues and gospel singer Linda Hopkins sings Bobby Troup's "Route 66" in front of an enthusiastic European audience. Believe it or not, Hopkins is 82 years old and was still performing as recently as last year. Here's her impressive bio.

Route 66 as a teaching tool

It's already been reported here, but Central Connecticut State University published an article about two sociology professors, John Mitrano and Bruce Day, who earned a $2,775 grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to help schools and universities incorporate Route 66 as a teaching tool. A few tidbits from the article: “Each year we … Continue reading Route 66 as a teaching tool

Kansas Route 66 association president dies

Sad news from longtime Route 66er Carolyn Pendleton, who reported late Monday on the Route 66 yahoogroup: Today Baxter Springs and the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association lost a dear friend. Earl Staton, our president, passed away. Earl was 91 years old, and he lost his battle with cancer. Earl had more knowledge of the … Continue reading Kansas Route 66 association president dies

More about the American Express grant

Nearly two weeks ago, the World Monuments Fund announced that American Express was awarding a $150,000 grant for a study to help sustain historic Route 66. The news release announced several other AmEx grants, so the finer points of the Mother Road money weren't included. Also, this comment from Route 66 News reader DynoDave motivated … Continue reading More about the American Express grant

Gorilla of my dreams

Keiron, from the United Kingdom, posts animated videos on YouTube from time to time. This week, he made a clip of Guy the Gorilla singing "Route 66." The freewheeling music's is pretty good, but I can't place it.

JFK cruising Route 66

Folk artist Luke Powers has written a song titled "I Saw John Kennedy Today," which is part of his "Picture Book" album. Here's the story behind the song and its Route 66 connection, according to a news release: The latest Americana "hit" is a quirky song about the 35th president written by singer-songwriter Luke Powers. … Continue reading JFK cruising Route 66

Tour of the California Route 66 Museum

LiveCarShows.com has posted a nicely produced tour of the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, Calif. There's a lot of focus on a teardrop trailer displayed at the museum. And for those who doubt whether Route 66 is an international tourist attraction, check out the museum's map of visitors.

First-timer wins Route 66 Marathon

A first-time marathon runner captured the overall title and a 50-year-old won the women's division in the second annual Route 66 Marathon on Sunday in Tulsa, Okla., reported the Tulsa World. Scott Downard, 24, of Norman, Okla., was a cross-country runner in high school and the University of Oklahoma. Sunday was his first marathon, and … Continue reading First-timer wins Route 66 Marathon

Images from the McKinley Bridge dedication

Longtime roadie Kip Welborn of St. Louis went to Saturday's dedication ceremony of the rehabbed McKinley Bridge, which connects Venice, Ill., to St. Louis. It's open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic now, and vehicular traffic will be allowed by sometime in December. The McKinley Bridge was built in 1910, and carried Route 66 from 1926 … Continue reading Images from the McKinley Bridge dedication