Will County, Illinois, near Chicago, is about to take the next steps in transforming Illinois Highway 53 into more of an attraction for Route 66 tourists, reported Shaw Media. The 20-mile stretch of Illinois 53 runs from about Interstate 80 in Joliet to Braidwood. Larazza said more than 30 businesses and other stakeholders involved in … Continue reading Illinois county taking next steps for establishing Route 66 corridor
Month: June 2014
New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license
The Quay County Sun newspaper last week published a well-researched story that speculates why the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, hasn't been awarded a license from the state to build a horse-racing track and casino, despite a license being available for more than a year. The proposed Coronado Park racino in Tucumcari calls for … Continue reading New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license
Above the City of Angels
Filmmaker and photographer Chris Pritchard made this dazzling time-lapse video with the city of Los Angeles as his canvas. Make sure to watch it on your computer in full-screen mode. Above LA from Chris Pritchard on Vimeo. (Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan)
Route 66 theme sparks increase in customers at restaurant
File this away under Mr. Obvious. But it's good to see what a Route 66 theme can do for a business, all other things being equal. A longtime restaurant in downtown Joliet, Illinois, has seen a sizable increase in the number of customers since changing to changing its name from the Joliet Restaurant to Joliet Route 66 Diner two … Continue reading Route 66 theme sparks increase in customers at restaurant
Family of owls holds up relighting of Whiting Bros. sign
The last Whiting Brothers gas station still in operation on Route 66 had hoped to relight the neon for its refurbished signs during a ceremony last weekend. However, a family of owls recently took up residence in one of the signs, delaying the neon installation at the station in Moriarty, New Mexico. Roger Holden at RETRO … Continue reading Family of owls holds up relighting of Whiting Bros. sign
Remnants of Club Cafe soon will disappear
The neon signs and building of the long-closed Club Cafe restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, likely will vanish by summer's end unless an unlikely savior is found, according to today's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. Known since 1935 for its sourdough biscuits, New Mexican cuisine and its trademark … Continue reading Remnants of Club Cafe soon will disappear
Goodwill store in Tulsa erects Route 66-themed sign
The headquarters of Goodwill Industries of Tulsa has operated on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa for years. Yet it's invigorating to see a retro and Route 66-inspired sign go up at its new retail store in that area. Afton Station co-owner Laurel Kane posted a photo of the new sign on her blog. The front … Continue reading Goodwill store in Tulsa erects Route 66-themed sign
Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena on the market
The historic but shuttered Rialto Theatre of South Pasadena, California -- after sitting in limbo for many months -- finally will be put up for sale. According to a Facebook post Monday by Escott O. Norton of Friends of the Rialto: BIG NEWS! The Rialto will be going up for sale! It was announced today … Continue reading Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena on the market
Hi-Way Tavern being revived at old Edwardsville location
The Hi-Way Tavern and Cafe, which began on Route 66 in Edwardsville, Ill., in 1934, will be revived at its old site in a tavern and eventually will serve food again, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. The building at 463 E. Vandalia was occupied by Neumann's Bar and Restaurant for 25 years. However, the newly reverted … Continue reading Hi-Way Tavern being revived at old Edwardsville location
High school class makes superb film about Route 66
The film class of Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, uploaded this 10-minute film about Route 66 in the last few days. This well-edited clip features Tulsa-area Route 66 experts Marian Clark and Michael Wallis. https://youtu.be/zBYoEVIvuKs This sort of excellence isn't new for the Jenks High School film class. It won an Emmy award in 2012 for … Continue reading High school class makes superb film about Route 66