Restoration of Herring Hotel paused amid owner’s bankruptcy filing

The restoration of the historic but long-abandoned Herring Hotel in downtown Amarillo, Texas, appears to be on hold indefinitely after its owner filed for bankruptcy this month. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the Herring Hotel Development Company LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on March 5. That's about three years after the company purchased … Continue reading Restoration of Herring Hotel paused amid owner’s bankruptcy filing

Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66

A few online sources claim Ernie Edwards (sometimes listed as "Earnie") of the Pig Hip Restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Illinois, was the inventor of his famous pig hip sandwiches. However, recent research effectively refutes that claim. First, a little background. Edwards ran what was the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell from 1937 until … Continue reading Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66

Herring Hotel in Amarillo designated to National Register of Historic Places

The nearly century-old but shuttered Herring Hotel in downtown Amarillo recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation went into effect on Jan. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The National Register nomination form can be read here. In 2022, several media outlets reported about a … Continue reading Herring Hotel in Amarillo designated to National Register of Historic Places

First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri

The first Buc-ee's mega-convenience store along the Route 66 corridor opened Monday on the northeast side of Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield Buc-ee's sits just north of Interstate 44 and Old Route 66, off Exit 84. Here's a report from OzarksFirst.com on the opening day: Here's a video report from opening day: https://youtu.be/Bxw3dprUsN8?si=ZRvkhgJHF4AY8h1x When we call … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s store along Route 66 corridor opens in Springfield, Missouri

Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes

The Tascosa Drive-In in Amarillo, Texas, closed last Friday after more than 70 years in operation, leaving a nearly 600-mile gap between operating drive-in theaters on or near Route 66. The theater made the announcement of its closing just days before its final screening: In a follow-up message on Facebook, the owners stated they were … Continue reading Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes

Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

The first Buc-ee's store on Route 66 reportedly is set to open late this year in Springfield, Missouri. Another Buc-ee's site in Amarillo, Texas, will break ground on Oct. 26. The Springfield News-Leader reports the Buc-ee's on the northeast side of the city is holding a mass hiring event this week. The company expects to … Continue reading Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

Slug Bug Ranch will move to a different location by January

The whimsical Slug Bug Ranch near Conway, Texas, will pick up and move to a new location shortly after New Year's Day, its owner said in a phone interview. Slug Bug Ranch, which was inspired by the internationally famous Cadillac Ranch 35 miles to the west in Amarillo, is a site where five vintage Volkswagen … Continue reading Slug Bug Ranch will move to a different location by January

Kingman Route 66 Fest next month is adding a Cadillac Ranch Experience

Want to spraypaint one of the cars at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, but can't get there? The third annual Kingman Route 66 Fest in Kingman, Arizona, on Oct. 13-14 offers a facsimile of that. The festival is offering a Cadillac Ranch Experience. The news release explains: Brand new to the Fest this year! … Continue reading Kingman Route 66 Fest next month is adding a Cadillac Ranch Experience

Big Texan RV Ranch adds Airstream trailers for overnight rentals

The Big Texan RV Ranch, a short distance down the road from the landmark Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, recently added vintage Airstream trailers that are available for overnight guests. Here's the announcement from the RV park: That's in addition to the wooden cabins and Conestoga wagons the RV park opened for overnight travelers … Continue reading Big Texan RV Ranch adds Airstream trailers for overnight rentals

Big numbers exist around the Big Texan Steak Ranch

The Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal recently published a statistics-laden article about the iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch in nearby Amarillo. The gist -- a lot of big numbers are involved in running the former Route 66 restaurant. That's what happens when you feed 500,000 customers per year. The whole article is worth reading, but here are … Continue reading Big numbers exist around the Big Texan Steak Ranch