Maple sirup and blue whales

Since vacation, I'm getting caught up on KC Keefer's latest videos on his Genuine Route 66 Life series. One that I missed was an interview with Glaida Funk, matriarch of the historic Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup business on Route 66 in Funks Grove, Illinois. https://youtu.be/cFCctA-vUS4 The second is an interview with Linda Hobbs, a … Continue reading Maple sirup and blue whales

Gallup’s anti-panhandling campaign comes under fire

The Navajo community is criticizing a campaign in Gallup, New Mexico, that discourages tourists -- including those on Route 66 -- from giving money to panhandlers, reported Indian Country Today. In April, a coalition of city officials, church, business, and community groups rolled out the 90-day “Change In My Heart, Not In My Pocket”campaign to encourage people … Continue reading Gallup’s anti-panhandling campaign comes under fire

Rock Cafe is no longer for sale

Rock Cafe owner Dawn Welch announced on her blog Saturday she has removed the "For Sale" signs for her iconic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, Oklahoma. The announcement came on the 75th anniversary of the restaurant and her 21st year as owner. After almost two years of a lot of traveling while the Rock Cafe … Continue reading Rock Cafe is no longer for sale

East St. Louis courthouse added to National Register

The Melvin Price Federal Building and U.S. courthouse in East St. Louis, Illinois, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 8, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The courthouse, which also was a post office, is at 750 Missouri Ave (map here). Missouri Avenue served as Route 66 in … Continue reading East St. Louis courthouse added to National Register

Many brick buildings in California vulnerable to quakes

After a multitude of earthquakes in California during the 1970s and '80s, we've long assumed the state's old buildings are much less susceptible to damage because of new codes. That's not the case. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that thousands of brick buildings in the region remain unstrengthened against earthquakes, especially in poor municipalities such … Continue reading Many brick buildings in California vulnerable to quakes

Miniature created of 4 Women on the Route station

Willem Bor strikes again. The craftsman from the Netherlands, who has made miniature models of numerous Route 66 landmarks, created a new one of 4 Women on the Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, which now is known as Cars on the Route. According to the Joplin Globe, the miniature was hand-delivered by fellow countryman and … Continue reading Miniature created of 4 Women on the Route station

A look at Route 66 in 1985

This 1-hour, 42-minute documentary film from 1985, "Route 66," has been making the rounds on the Internet since it was uploaded it on YouTube a few days ago and Route 66 yahoogroup creator Greg Laxton posted it on Facebook. Roadies praise it because it provides the Mother Road's most comprehensive look just before U.S. 66 was … Continue reading A look at Route 66 in 1985

A closer look at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village

Explore Tulsa recently uploaded this informative clip about the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa. Mike Massey, train project manager, explains the vintage Frisco Meteor 4500 locomotive, rail cars and the Red Fork commemorative oil derrick on the site. https://youtu.be/9SDBcLIgjgs I do hope the volunteers can renovate the inside of that circa-1929 passenger car so … Continue reading A closer look at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village

California Route 66’s declining condition will be discussed Thursday

The poor or deteriorating condition of roads or bridges along the Route 66 corridor in California will be part of an online discussion Thursday regarding the California Route 66 Management Plan from Barstow to Needles. Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, the contractor preparing the management plan, will host the webcast from 10:30 a.m. to noon Pacific time … Continue reading California Route 66’s declining condition will be discussed Thursday

Kiosk, rest area built near Riverton roundabout

A rest area and informational kiosk recently were built at the roundabout near Riverton, Kansas, that intersects Route 66 and U.S. 400, reported KOAM-TV. The Kansas Department of Transportation built them after receiving a $20,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration. They were designed by nearby Pittsburg State University students. KDOT officials say the informational … Continue reading Kiosk, rest area built near Riverton roundabout