This isn't a Route 66 nostalgia book. "Route 66: A Trail of Tears" (514 pages, soft cover, self-published) offers vivid evidence why some people regarded the highway with anguish and dread during its heyday. Historian Barry Duncan compiled hundreds of black-and-white photographs of accidents along a stretch of the Mother Road in southwest Missouri from the 1950s to the 1970s. The … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: A Trail of Tears”
Month: October 2016
Harley Russell documentary premieres Saturday at short-film festival
Filmmaker March Mercanti will premiere his documentary about Harley Russell of the Mediocre Music Makers in Erick, Oklahoma, on Saturday at the San Jose International Short Film Festival. The nearly 14-minute film is titled simply "Harley." Here is the summary: Despite living in the small town of Erick, Oklahoma and bordering on the edge of insanity, a … Continue reading Harley Russell documentary premieres Saturday at short-film festival
Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
The city of Carthage, Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation may have hammered out a compromise that will lead to a better bridge-project detour for Route 66 travelers and give maintenance to those old bridges on the detour. The Carthage Press reports the agreement that will be voted on by the city council Oct. 25: … Continue reading Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
More vintage Route 66 videos from Anthony Reichardt
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos from Route 66 trips he undertook in a 1959 Cadillac during the early to mid-1990s. The videos contain plenty of historic value because it documents landmarks that have disappeared or changed. Reichardt's dedicated YouTube channel now contains more than 30 videos, and they're still coming. Watching them are worth your time, … Continue reading More vintage Route 66 videos from Anthony Reichardt
“Show Me 66” documentary to premiere Nov. 10
The Missouri History Museum has been working on a documentary, "Show Me 66: Main Street Through Missouri," for about a year. The 90-minute film will premiere at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. Admission is free. The directors will host a question-and-answer session after the screening. … Continue reading “Show Me 66” documentary to premiere Nov. 10
El Fidel Hotel to be auctioned next week
The historic El Fidel Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, will be auctioned online for six-day period starting Oct. 27. The 1923 hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is going on the block because its owner is retiring. The auction will begin 10 a.m. Oct. 27 and end 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The … Continue reading El Fidel Hotel to be auctioned next week
Cyrus Avery Court apartments inspired by 1950s
The newly refurbished and rechristened Cyrus Avery Court apartment complex in Tulsa takes its inspiration from nearby Route 66 and the 1950s. The property at 5223 E. 12th St. (map here) sits a block south of Route 66's 11th Street and is named after the so-called Father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, who lived in Tulsa all his … Continue reading Cyrus Avery Court apartments inspired by 1950s
Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
The Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, reopened last week after a hiatus of more than a decade. And the new proprietors also own The Bent Door cafe along Route 66 in Adrian, which they also hope to reopen sometime next year. Roy and Ramona Kiewert reopened the Fabulous 40 Motel on Oct. 7 after buying the … Continue reading Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday awarded $2.16 million in grants for bicycle and walking trails along Route 66 in Williamsville and McLean County. The two projects were part of 33 statewide that received grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, slated for "biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures
Longtime readers probably know of Willem Bor of the Netherlands, who in the last few years has created miniatures of well-known Route 66 landmarks for museums or private individuals. The bad news is Bor contracted cancer and had to cancel one of his upcoming trips on Route 66. The good news is because he's got … Continue reading Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures