Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies

Tony Waldmire, 31, a co-operator of the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, and grandson of its founder, died Saturday, according to a post from the restaurant's Facebook account. The post read: This is the hardest post I have ever had to make. With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my … Continue reading Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies

Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q

A plaque commemorating longtime Route 66 business owner Fran Eickhoff is being moved from Fanning 66 Outpost to the Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q restaurant in Cuba, Missouri, after the former closed. The plaque will be re-dedicated by the Route 66 Association of Missouri at 11 a.m. Saturday at the restaurant 913 E. Washington St. (aka Route 66; … Continue reading Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q

Why was Route 66 also known as “Bloody 66”?

For decades, Route 66 was known as "Bloody 66" because of the many car crashes that occurred on that busy and often-narrow highway. When I first talked to old-timers about Route 66 during the late 1990s, many of them recalled those "Bloody 66" memories. The few books about the Mother Road published at the time also recounted … Continue reading Why was Route 66 also known as “Bloody 66”?

The early history of Cadillac Ranch

The Artsy website posted a well-researched article of how the Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, Texas, came to be, including vintage photos of it being built. Cadillac Ranch turned into a roadside icon -- including for Route 66 travelers -- in the four decades since local tycoon Stanley Marsh 3 commissioned it from the Ant Farm … Continue reading The early history of Cadillac Ranch

Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award

The century-old Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently received a prestigious preservation honor. The old Route 66 gas station received one of two Preservation Design Awards from the California Preservation Foundation on Sept. 29. The California Preservation Foundation celebrates and recognizes exemplary work in historic preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, sustainability, studies, reports and other significant categories in the preservation … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award

New East Town mural dedicated in Joplin

Residents dedicated a new, 60-foot-long mural at 621 Langston Hughes-Broadway (aka Route 66) in Joplin, Missouri, on Sunday. According to the Joplin Globe, the mural on the side wall of a former grocery store depicts the history of the city's historic East Town neighborhood. About 200 people, many of them East Town residents, attended the ceremony. The mural is … Continue reading New East Town mural dedicated in Joplin

A spaceship on Route 66 in Illinois

WRSP-TV found this oddity on Route 66 in Divernon, Illinois -- a former cop, Dave Bentley, who made his own spaceship and parked it in his front yard for the enjoyment of passers-by and tourists. Check out the video: The "Earth Patrol" spaceship is part of a diorama featuring Route 66. There's also a hole … Continue reading A spaceship on Route 66 in Illinois

Flying C Ranch manager may revive Milagro gas station

The closed Milagro gas station west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, may be resurrected by the manager of the nearby Flying C Ranch travel center. Last week's print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa reported Frank Tavenner, manager of the Flying C off Interstate 40 about 10 miles west of the Milagro station, is … Continue reading Flying C Ranch manager may revive Milagro gas station

Couple buys historic bank building in Carterville

A local couple recently bought a historic but deteriorated bank building in downtown Carterville, Missouri, and plan to eventually turn it into a residential and retail center. Brock and Courtney Powell of Carterville purchased the former First National Bank building at 301 Main St. (aka Route 66) about two months ago, reported the Joplin Globe. Brock Powell … Continue reading Couple buys historic bank building in Carterville

Joplin will officially revive Mother Road Marathon

Thanks to action by the Joplin, Missouri, City Council, the Mother Road Marathon officially will be resurrected in the tri-state region Oct. 1, 2017. The council on Monday night gave final approval to a licensing deal that will allow local race organizer Tom Rogers of Twelveone Race Management to revive the 26.2-mile footrace that begins in northeastern Oklahoma, goes … Continue reading Joplin will officially revive Mother Road Marathon