The Nat may have a new owner soon

Tucked deep into a KFDA-TV story about The Nat in Amarillo, Texas, is the news the historic venue's current tenant intends to buy it as soon as her lease expires. Here's the relevant excerpt about Kasey Tam, who runs The Nat as an antique store: Tam is leasing the building currently. Her lease agreement expires … Continue reading The Nat may have a new owner soon

Trip to lobby for Mojave Trails National Park finishes tonight

Jim Conkle's 26-day van trip to lobby for the designation of the Mother Road-Mojave Trails National Monument finishes tonight with a show at the Santa Monica Pier, according to an article in the Victorville Daily Press. The designation was proposed by a U.S. senator, but the legislation has been stuck in Congress for years. Conkle … Continue reading Trip to lobby for Mojave Trails National Park finishes tonight

Barbecue stand opens at Pioneer Camp site in Wellston

An award-winning barbecue pitmaster recently opened a restaurant inside a converted railroad car at the old Pioneer Camp site along Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, according to an article by KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City. Levi Bouska runs the Butcher BBQ Stand near the intersection of Route 66 and Route 66B -- an alternative alignment that … Continue reading Barbecue stand opens at Pioneer Camp site in Wellston

More 1993 footage from a Route 66 trip

Anthony Reichardt has uploaded more videos from a Route 66 trip he took with a friend in August 1993 in a 1959 Cadillac. The first is a visit to Our Lady of the Highways Shrine near Raymond, Illinois. The shrine has changed little, but the footage contains a chat with longtime caretaker Francis Marten, who … Continue reading More 1993 footage from a Route 66 trip

Bowling alley in Bloomington closes after 55 years

The AMF Circle Lanes bowling center near Route 66 in Bloomington, Illinois, closed Sunday after more than 55 years in business, according the Bloomington Pantagraph. Management didn't explain the closure, but told the newspaper a decision was made to shutter it after "a comprehensive analysis." Translation: The AMF Circle Lanes was another in a long line of … Continue reading Bowling alley in Bloomington closes after 55 years

One way to repurpose an old sign

Steve Paulken, city manager for Winslow, Arizona, sent these photos of the old Moore's Pawn & Trading sign along Route 66 in town being refurbished, thanks in part to a city program. Paulken wrote in an email: This sign has been here for over 30 years, but in recent years has been unused and totally faded out. … Continue reading One way to repurpose an old sign

Big Texan Steak Ranch considers moving

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in east Amarillo may move from the location it's called home more for than 40 years, according to a big article in the Amarillo Globe-News. Co-owners Bobby and Danny Lee, sons of late Big Texan founder Bob Lee, told the newspaper the Big Texan is bursting at the seams with customers, and something's gotta … Continue reading Big Texan Steak Ranch considers moving

Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri’s Most Endangered list

Route 66's closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, made Missouri Preservation's Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2015. The Old Phillipsburg General Store in the Route 66 town of Phillipsburg, Missouri, also made the list. The annual list, announced Friday, is designed to call attention to properties endangered because of deterioration, neglect, encroachment, potential demoltion … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri’s Most Endangered list

Kingman building ‘welcome arch’ to its downtown

Kingman, Arizona, is building a "welcome arch" across its downtown Beale Street, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. The arch would be installed as part of Kingman's participation as a quarterfinalist in the America's Best Communities contest in which $10 million is at stake, city manager John Dougherty said. Dougherty said the ABC team, which … Continue reading Kingman building ‘welcome arch’ to its downtown

Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson

A former police officer and another man pleaded guilty Friday to arson charges in burning down the closed Payless Inn on Route 66 and an abandoned house in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on Sept. 3, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper and other media outlets. Dustin “Dusty” Lopez, the former Tucumcari officer, and Robert Sandoval … Continue reading Former cop pleads guilty to Tucumcari motel arson