The north side of Springfield, Illinois, is struggling economically because of a decrease in Route 66 tourism there, reported WRSP-TV. Apparently the situation has declined so much, alderman John Fulgenzi has met with the mayor's office and congressmen to figure out what to do about Peoria Road, aka Route 66. In the mid-20th century, if you ever … Continue reading North Springfield suffers from a drop in tourism
Month: October 2015
Group wants to remove Cadillac Ranch
A group calling itself Erase Marsh Madness wants to remove all artwork in Amarillo linked to the now-deceased Stanley Marsh 3, including the famous Cadillac Ranch near Route 66. Before he died at age 76 last year, Marsh was criminally indicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse of underage teenage boys. And several family members … Continue reading Group wants to remove Cadillac Ranch
All aboard the Lincoln County Express
Occasionally, you'll find out about something you unwittingly passed dozens of time but never saw. One of those things is the so-called Lincoln County Express, a child-sized locomotive and other metal sculptures that apparently have sat off Route 66 east of Stroud, Oklahoma, for decades. Tulsa photographer Rhys Martin discovered it in June 2014; apparently vegetation conceals it from … Continue reading All aboard the Lincoln County Express
Gateway Arch marks 50th year
Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch, the best-known symbol for the city of St. Louis. Indeed, it's one of the most famous monuments in the world, and although it isn't on Route 66, it remains a popular destination for tourists who are traveling the Mother Road. Much of the … Continue reading Gateway Arch marks 50th year
A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted this video about the late Bob Waldmire's school bus that Waldmire converted into living quarters years ago. After Waldmire's death from cancer in 2009, the bus was parked at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac to be permanently displayed. Museum curator John Wille gives the lowdown … Continue reading A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
A closer look at McLean, Texas
The Once Upon a Town project -- a collaborative film effort that explores historic towns in Texas -- recently completed an eight-minute film about the Route 66 community of McLean, Texas. You'll see longtime Route 66 advocate Delbert Trew interviewed, along with a lot of nice drone-aircraft footage of McLean. https://youtu.be/1MIws0cvizk The Devil's Rope Museum … Continue reading A closer look at McLean, Texas
California Route 66 Museum marks 20th year
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville marked its 20th year of operation Saturday with a car show and hundreds of visitors -- and lots of anticipation for Route 66's 90th anniversary next year, reported the Daily Dispatch newspaper. The museum is open from Wednesday through Monday, with the other two days open by appointment … Continue reading California Route 66 Museum marks 20th year
Ground broken for Lebanon’s Route 66 park
City officials in Lebanon, Missouri, last week broke ground for construction of a new Route 66-themed section of Boswell Park. According to the Lebanon Daily Record: “This is a great day for Route 66. This is our heritage, and this is our culture. We should not forget that,” said Lebanon City Councilman and Route 66 … Continue reading Ground broken for Lebanon’s Route 66 park
Trains return to Erick for the first time in years
Residents of Erick, Oklahoma, saw a passenger train come through their town for the first time in nearly 50 years Friday as Farmrail commemorated the opening of rail service between there and the fellow Route 66 town of Sayre, Oklahoma, for a fracking-sand manufacturer, according to The Oklahoman newspaper. The passenger train was just for … Continue reading Trains return to Erick for the first time in years
Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Nearly 30 head of native bison were reintroduced this week to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie along Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois -- the first time buffalo have roamed in that area in nearly two centuries. Bison were exterminated by the 1830s in northern Illinois, and the animals were hunted to near-extinction in the United … Continue reading Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie