A recently updated eight-year plan for bad bridges in Oklahoma targets three Route 66 bridges for replacement, including the famous Pony Bridge near Bridgeport. The initial news release about the bridge plan said spans would be replaced or rehabilitated. However, Kenna Mitchell, a member of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's Media and Public Relations Division, confirmed … Continue reading Bridge plan threatens three historic Oklahoma Route 66 bridges
Month: September 2012
Coney Island restaurant moves into Springfield’s Sonrise Donuts building
The historic Coney Island restaurant in Springfield, Ill., has reopened in the equally historic Sonrise Donuts building, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. Both restaurants boasted long tenures on Route 66. Emilio and Rosa Lomeli reopened The New Coney Island this month at Sonrise Donut at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66). It is … Continue reading Coney Island restaurant moves into Springfield’s Sonrise Donuts building
Mother Road music on tap
Here's a sing-and-tap version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by Merry Lou Metzger and Jack Imel on a 1980 episode of "The Lawrence Welk Show." https://youtu.be/7YdTrKs9zvw That'll never be as surreal as this moment from the Welk show.
Route 66 Interpretive Plaza in Tulsa is finished
Travelers on Route 66 in Tulsa now have a new, short side trip to check out -- the Route 66 Interpretive Plaza near 11th Street and Mingo Road. The sign in a median at that intersection that directs you to the plaza and the two Route 66 alignments in Tulsa was finished months ago. However, … Continue reading Route 66 Interpretive Plaza in Tulsa is finished
Tulsa’s Route 66 Village would get Vision2 funding
The Route 66 Village along old Route 66 in west Tulsa would receive $549,000 from potential Vision2 sales-tax funding, reported the Tulsa World after a Thursday meeting of the City Council. Councilors parceled out about $158 million in quality-of-life projects if the Vision2 tax package is approved by voters on Nov. 6. Vision2 is a $748 million, … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 Village would get Vision2 funding
The true story of Waynesville’s Frog Rock
A fascinating article in the Waynesville Daily Guide talks about the history of the Frog Rock landmark along Route 66 in Waynesville, Mo., and the urban legends associated with it: Contrary to popular belief, the large frog-shaped boulder that sits on the side of Waynesville Hill wasn't always shaped like a frog. And contrary to … Continue reading The true story of Waynesville’s Frog Rock
Edmond softball complex will take on Route 66 and Pops theme
A new softball complex being built on the east edge of Edmond, Okla., will feature a Mother Road theme, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. The $5.7 million project for four softball diamonds broke ground Wednesday. The complex entrance will be four miles east of Interstate 35 on Second Street. The concessions and restrooms will have a … Continue reading Edmond softball complex will take on Route 66 and Pops theme
British cyclists want to do Route 66 in one week
Ten cyclists from Great Britain want to set a world record by pedaling all 2,448 miles of Route 66 in just seven days, according to the St. Albans Review. The cyclists will embark on the relay effort sometime next year, said the newspaper, to raise money for Help for Heroes and the Willow Foundation. The … Continue reading British cyclists want to do Route 66 in one week
Route 66, 20 years ago
Wayne Freedman, a reporter for KGO-TV in San Francisco, on Wednesday tweeted about these two videos from 1992 about Route 66. The first video prominently features Angel "The Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo. https://youtu.be/IJF_wFgqX8M The second video from the same time period spotlights the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. https://youtu.be/7wbkgcUHFOM Remember, these videos were shot … Continue reading Route 66, 20 years ago
A chat with the Bagdad Cafe’s owner
A host for an Irish travel site, Travelbiz.ie, sat down for an interview with Andrea Pruett, owner of the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, Calif. https://youtu.be/tgD_BKHYvP8 The Route 66 restaurant enjoyed the extreme good fortune of being the setting for the 1987 German film "Bagdad Cafe." Since then, it's been a destination for many European … Continue reading A chat with the Bagdad Cafe’s owner