More auto-chargers coming to Route 66 in Illinois

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced the creation of a network of charging stations for electric vehicles along Route 66 in Illinois that will be operational by summer, according to various media outlets, including the Alton Telegraph. The Route 66 towns of Plainfield, Dwight, Pontiac, Normal, Lincoln, Springfield, Carlinville and Edwardsville each will have a charging … Continue reading More auto-chargers coming to Route 66 in Illinois

Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

A collection of late singer Patti Page's memorabilia will be on display through the rest of the year at the Oklahoma History Center and will later travel to several other Oklahoma sites, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the "Patti Page: Once Upon a Dream" exhibit from the … Continue reading Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

“Highway or My Way”

https://youtu.be/pE3kqBjRcnU Frank Kocevar, the former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, put together this Route 66-themed video a few days ago. Frank now has time to travel the Mother Road and meet the people he heard about or those who came to his shop. So there may be quite a few people you … Continue reading “Highway or My Way”

Rialto Square Theatre will get a new marquee

The historic Rialto Square Theatre along Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, soon will receive a new marquee and will repaint its iconic vertical sign thanks to a $350,000 gift from a local construction firm owner, reported The Herald-News. The new marquee will have LED screens suitable for video under the name of the theater. Ed Czerkies of … Continue reading Rialto Square Theatre will get a new marquee

New yacht model named Route 66

An Italian luxury yacht company, ISA Yachts, is building a 217-foot-long yacht called Route 66 for delivery in spring 2017, according to Superyacht Times. According to Superyacht Business, the Route 66 design was unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last month. The boat is so named "in honor of the famous legendary American … Continue reading New yacht model named Route 66

A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill

Here's a restaurant in Baxter Springs, Kansas, that escaped my notice -- the Red Ball Bar and Grill, which uses the grille of an old truck as part of its grill. KSN-TV in Joplin has the story: Here's a screen capture of the aforementioned grill: The Red Ball occupies a building that was a grocery … Continue reading A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill

Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art

Albuquerque is considering an ordinance change that would make it easier to turn vacant and abandoned signs along old Route 66 into public art, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Ellen Babcock of the Friends of the Orphan Signs nonprofit is one of those who support the idea. The newspaper said: The art can be featured on … Continue reading Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art

11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon

A total of 11,000 people participated in a variety of races during the past weekend's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, including the 26.2-mile main event. A few highlights on what has become one of Tulsa's biggest events in less than a decade: Jason Cook of Norman, Oklahoma, who was runner-up in last year's marathon, won … Continue reading 11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon

Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale

Bill Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, has been put on the market after the property cleared probate following the longtime owner's death in December, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper noted the museum's Facebook page had this message a few days ago: Post by Shea's Route 66 Museum. According to the newspaper: … Continue reading Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale

Joplin buys old Route 66 garage

The city of Joplin, Missouri, recently bought a long-abandoned 1920s garage building that it plans to convert into a Route 66 attraction -- most likely a visitors center, reported the Joplin Globe. Patrick Tuttle,  director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the newspaper the city had purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (also … Continue reading Joplin buys old Route 66 garage