Wayward pickup causes damage at Wigwam Motel

A suspected teenage drunken driver caused thousands of dollars in damage to the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California, when his pickup truck veered off the road and destroyed the motel's front fence, a light pole and other structures early Sunday morning. The crash happened about 3 a.m. The crash involving the pickup truck also damaged a … Continue reading Wayward pickup causes damage at Wigwam Motel

Joplin visitors-center idea may face wrecking ball

A nearly century-old gas station in Joplin, Missouri, envisioned as a Route 66 visitors center instead may be torn down, partly because city councilors are balking at the site's rehabilitation costs, according to the Joplin Globe. Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau director Patrick Tuttle wanted the property at 1109-1111 Langston Hughes-Broadway to be converted into a Route 66 … Continue reading Joplin visitors-center idea may face wrecking ball

Mr. C’s Route Post goes up for sale

Mr. C's Route Post, a Route 66 souvenir shop in Lebanon, Missouri, has been put up for sale after the death several months ago of owner Scott Cameron. Shelly Stallings of ReMax is the agent, and the property is listed for $299,000. Part of the description: THIS MONEY MAKER HAS 1168 ft of Interstate frontage … Continue reading Mr. C’s Route Post goes up for sale

Sky-View Drive-In put up for sale

The historic Sky-View Drive-In theater along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, has been put on the market for $275,000. The theater is listed through the Goodman Agency in Carlinville, Illinois. According to the Realtor, the Sky-View underwent a $77,000 conversion to digital film format, so it is ready for the current age. The theater's capacity … Continue reading Sky-View Drive-In put up for sale

The sad decline of the Sun ‘n Sand Motel

Less than three years after it served overnight customers, the historic Sun 'n Sand Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, has declined into an eyesore and a magnet for homeless people, according to a detailed report this week in the print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator. Longtime Route 66 travelers likely will recognize the … Continue reading The sad decline of the Sun ‘n Sand Motel

Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced

Four inductees for the Route 66 Walk of Fame in Kingman, Arizona, during the Best of the West on Route 66 Festival on Sept. 25-27 recently were announced. The inductees also will be recognized as King of the Road, an honorary position that includes being as grand marshal of the festival's parade. The inductees are: … Continue reading Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced

Will Rogers-Route 66 short film is out

Kirkpatrick & Kinslow Productions said it would have its short film promoting Will Rogers' link to Route 66 out in August to help boost the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma. The Tulsa-area based production company finished the project early: Will Rogers-Route 66 Adventure from Kirkpatrick&Kinslow Productions on Vimeo. The Will Rogers-Route 66 Experience … Continue reading Will Rogers-Route 66 short film is out

Mother Jones Monument restored

The 80-year-old Mother Jones Monument off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, was rededicated Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 300 people after the union activist's grave was restored, according to the Peoria Journal-Star. More about the monument in Union Miners Cemetery -- the nation's only union-owned cemetery -- in Mount Olive: … Continue reading Mother Jones Monument restored

Thefts hit Gay Parita Station

Apparently the same thief or thieves who recently struck the ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, also hit the nearby Gay Parita Sinclair station in recent days. According to Steve Turner, son of late Gay Parita owner Gary Turner, the following items were taken: Royal Crown thermometer by the Dunlop Tires sign Squirt oil sign below … Continue reading Thefts hit Gay Parita Station

Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri

Two men who mysteriously died in a Springfield, Missouri, motel room while traveling Route 66 last month succumbed to cerebral malaria, according to several media outlets, including the Associated Press. Gerrit Strydom, 45, and James Bethel, 44, both of South Africa, died of the noncommunicable disease before their bodies were found May 9 in separate … Continue reading Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri