“Easy Rider” motorcycle will be auctioned

It's certain that many dream of driving the "Captain America" Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the "Easy Rider" film on a Route 66 journey. Now you have the chance to do it, if you have a million bucks or so. Several media outlets reported a few days ago the now-iconic motorcycle from the 1969 film starring Peter … Continue reading “Easy Rider” motorcycle will be auctioned

Joplin to install new directional signs

The city of Joplin, Missouri, will install more than 40 new wayfinder signs, including those that identify the original path of Route 66, reported the Joplin Globe. The newspaper said: Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the council that the 43 new signs, predominantly blue in color, will replace the … Continue reading Joplin to install new directional signs

Half-mile section of original Route 66 added to National Register

A half-mile section of original Route 66 near Depew, Oklahoma, was added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email from the National Park Service. The section of road runs east of Milfay Road for 0.46 miles. CLARIFICATION: I had the Google Street View map in the right place, but facing the … Continue reading Half-mile section of original Route 66 added to National Register

Fox Theatre light returns to downtown Springfield

A replica of the Fox Theatre's neon sign in downtown Springfield, Missouri, was installed and lighted Thursday night, reported KLOR-TV. The relighting was part of History Museum on the Square's fall fundraiser. The Fox Theatre is located at 157 Park Central Square. More from the report: The Fox Theatre's iconic sign was lit at 9 … Continue reading Fox Theatre light returns to downtown Springfield

London combines charity road trip with TV production

Here's something you don't see every day -- a British television company aims to raise more than $400,000 for a cancer support group and gain a television series at the same time by using a journey on Route 66 in an electric car as the backdrop. It's called "Route 66 -- The Ultimate Challenge," and … Continue reading London combines charity road trip with TV production

Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66

Sammy Basso, an 18-year-old Italian boy afflicted with progeria, a rare genetic disease that ages him prematurely, is traveling Route 66, and a subsidiary with the National Geographic Channel is documenting the journey, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The folks in Pontiac, Illinois, in typical fashion, rolled out the red carpet for him: Basso, his … Continue reading Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66

“66 Mainstreet, Americana”

This film documents a couple of Brits, film director Andy Harrison and photographer Natalie Pluck, taking in a Route 66 trip. I like this film very much, mostly because it seems to be simply willing to go its own way. 66 Mainstreet, Americana from Andy Harrison on Vimeo. A few things to note before you view … Continue reading “66 Mainstreet, Americana”

Hello from Moscow

I bet you haven't heard this one. It's Ned Wright, singing Bobby Troup's "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" in 1955 in Moscow as part of The Everyman's Opera Concerto. It's a lot jazzier than you might think it is. Wright, by the way, was one of the first Americans allowed to perform behind the … Continue reading Hello from Moscow

Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum

View Larger Map A small lot on the corner of Wabash Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Chicago that's planned as a Chicago Symphony Orchestra Park may include a small Route 66 museum to recognize its location on Route 66, according to a story in DNAinfo. The so-called pocket park would sit just west of the … Continue reading Proposed Chicago park may include Route 66 museum

Owner of troubled Bel-Aire Motel dies

Gopal Motwani, owner of the historic but troubled Bel-Aire Motel on Sixth Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Illinois, died Saturday near his home in Naples, Florida, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. After putting the motel up for sale for $750,000 -- plus $114,000 in fines for 700 code violations -- this summer, Motwani told the newspaper he … Continue reading Owner of troubled Bel-Aire Motel dies