A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times took a deep dive into the checkered history of the Aztec Hotel, a landmark along Route 66 in Monrovia, California. For the uninitiated, Robert Stacy-Judd designed the 44-room hotel, built about 1925 and contains distinctive Mayan Revival architecture. Celebrities such as Bing Crosby, Clark Gable and Tom … Continue reading L.A. Times takes a closer look at the landmark Aztec Hotel in Monrovia
Loyola’s Family Restaurant in Albuquerque for sale for $775,000
The historic Loyola's Family Restaurant in Albuquerque has been put on the market with an asking price of $775,000. The restaurant at 4500 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will continue to operate in the interim, reported Albuquerque Business First (subscription required). Loyola's is being listed through Absolute Investment Realty. It initially was listed for $1.1 … Continue reading Loyola’s Family Restaurant in Albuquerque for sale for $775,000
Big Texan 72-ounce steak dinner challenge goes on the road this month
GoRoute66.com, the Official Route 66 Centennial Caravan and Big Texan Steak Ranch have partnered to celebrate Route 66's centennial, including bringing the Big Texan 72-ounce steak dinner challenge to 20 cities along the highway. The core of the project is a 20-day caravan tour from the Santa Monica Pier to Chicago's Navy Pier, traveling down … Continue reading Big Texan 72-ounce steak dinner challenge goes on the road this month
Partially collapsed building that housed Lindy’s Diner in Albuquerque will be torn down
The historic Bliss Building that housed Lindy's Diner in downtown Albuquerque will be torn down as soon as this week after it partly collapsed in late April. KOB-TV reports that Guzman Construction Solutions received a demolition permit on Friday for the building at 500 Central Ave. “The Bliss Building has been part of Albuquerque’s story … Continue reading Partially collapsed building that housed Lindy’s Diner in Albuquerque will be torn down
Hundreds attend grand opening of Blue Whale Visitor Center in Catoosa
As if the Tulsa area wasn't busy enough Saturday with the Route 66 Capital Cruise, the Blue Whale Visitor Center in nearby Catoosa. Oklahoma, held its grand opening after months of construction on the Route 66 landmark. The day at the Blue Whale included a 5K run that drew an estimated 500 runners, vendor markets, … Continue reading Hundreds attend grand opening of Blue Whale Visitor Center in Catoosa
Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise breaks world record with over 3,500 classic vehicles participating
Tulsa shattered a world record on Saturday after a total of 3,596 classic vehicles participated in the Route 66 Capital Cruise. That surpassed the previous record by more than 1,100 vehicles. The event also drew an estimated 100,000 spectators along Route 66 in the city, according to various media reports. Cars departed from Expo Square … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise breaks world record with over 3,500 classic vehicles participating
Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
Brent Swadley, owner of the Oklahoima-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q restaurant chain, was found guilty Thursday by a jury in an Oklahoma City courtroom of committing criminal fraud involving millions of dollars of state taxpayer money. Swadley was accused of creating fake invoices and overbilling the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department at state parks. The overbilling, which … Continue reading Swadley’s Bar-B-Q owner convicted of criminal fraud, faces up to 10 years in prison
Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
The mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, reported a few days ago that construction of the Route 66-themed Centennial Plaza near the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is moving into a more rapid stage. Mayor Kelly Eckhoff in a Facebook post stated: The end of the eight week curing time for the steel structure … Continue reading Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
New “Welcome to Tulsa” neon signs are being installed just before the Route 66 Capital Cruise
Earlier this week, the City of Tulsa erected a large "Welcome to Tulsa" neon sign just before the Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise brings in thousands of tourists and classic-car enthusiasts. The sign is at the Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa. Residents gathered Tuesday night for the lighting ceremony there. Here are images … Continue reading New “Welcome to Tulsa” neon signs are being installed just before the Route 66 Capital Cruise
Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile
Back in January, you may remember a story about Ed and Jackie Fogle of Oklahoma, who were planning to celebrate Route 66's centennial by traveling the entire 2,400-mile length of the highway in a 1926 Hupmobile. Well, they made it. According to WBBM-TV in Chicago, they managed to drive the century-old car from the Windy … Continue reading Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile