Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced

A couple of weeks ago, the Route 66: The Road Ahead initiative announced a series of collaborative workshops in seven cities in July. This week, the initiative provided times and places for each workshop: --- Tuesday, July 21, Springfield, Illinois, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Route 66 Hotel Conference Center, 625 E. St. Joseph St. (map … Continue reading Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced

New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store

The new owner of Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, will convert the Route 66 restaurant into a "cowboys and Indians" antique store after buying it at auction last weekend, according to the El Reno Tribune. Cliff Johnson, a musician, submitted the winning bid of $63,000 for the building. According to the newspaper: Johnson said … Continue reading New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store

Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments

The mayor of Galena, Kansas, and six current or former city councilors recently were notified they've been indicted on a felony charge of misuse of public funds in a case that involves one of the town's most prominent Route 66 property owners, according to stories in the Joplin Globe and Cherokee County News-Advocate. Among those … Continue reading Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments

Test your ability to Hit the Road

The folks in Atlanta, Illinois, unveiled a deceptively simple but unusual new attraction in their Route 66 town -- a Hit the Road game modeled after an old strongman contest commonly seen at county fairs many years ago. The Hit the Road game is next to the Bunyon Statue in downtown Atlanta. More details: The … Continue reading Test your ability to Hit the Road

Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop

The city of Albuquerque and a former restaurant employee settled a lawsuit against the Route 66 Malt Shop over the eatery's refusal to pay a voter-mandated minimum wage increase, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The lawsuit was filed two years ago and was set to go to trial this week. Attorneys had made opening arguments … Continue reading Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop

Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected

A rival developer's appeal of the city of Albuquerque's decision to award a redevelopment contract for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge was rejected Monday night during the regular council meeting, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The winning contractor, Anthea, will spend a projected $8.2 million to renovate the Route 66 motel into extended-stay lodging, … Continue reading Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected

Week-long Great Race begins Saturday

The annual Hemming Motor News Great Race begins Saturday in Kirkwood, Missouri, and will go down much of Route 66 to the end in Santa Monica, California, on June 28. The Springfield (Mo.) Convention and Visitors Bureau had some details about the event for cars made up to 1972: The cross-country rally is a timed, controlled-speed endurance … Continue reading Week-long Great Race begins Saturday

Full-length documentary about Tulsa’s history coming soon

"Boomtown," a feature-length documentary about the history of Tulsa, will be screened theatrically next month and on Tulsa television stations in August, according to an article in the Tulsa World. Here is the official trailer: Official Trailer HD - Boomtown: An American Journey from Kirkpatrick&Kinslow Productions on Vimeo. Kirkpatrick & Kinslow, based in the Tulsa … Continue reading Full-length documentary about Tulsa’s history coming soon

Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins

The razing of the long-troubled and condemned Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, began Monday, according to varying media outlets in the city. The Springfield State Journal-Register published a gallery of photos of Sheppard's Auto Sales & Salvage doing the demolition work. The company's owner said he hoped he would be finished within … Continue reading Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins

Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer

Vandals damaged portions of the semi-restored ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, on old Route 66 last week, according to a report by KYTV in nearby Springfield. Quentin Stockman is the caretaker for the complex. Spencer lies on a 1928 alignment of Route 66, and the buildings were renovated to look like that era. “That used … Continue reading Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer