The City of Lebanon, Missouri, earlier this month declared the former Red Fox Motel unsafe after finding safety hazards in the wake of a stabbing there. The Laclede County Herald reported that police department inspectors found the hazards on Oct. 8. The inspection came after a stabbing at the property at 1431 W. Route 66 … Continue reading City of Lebanon declares former Red Fox Motel unsafe
PBS show takes a closer look at Rich Dinkela and his Shamrock Court motel
The PBS-TV show "American Lens," hosted by noted photographer Carol Highsmith, recently examined Roamin' Rich Dinkela and the Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan, Missouri, which he spent years restoring. Dinkela also acquired another Route 66 landmark: the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri. A description of the 10-minute segment: Route 66 represents the best of Americana to … Continue reading PBS show takes a closer look at Rich Dinkela and his Shamrock Court motel
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch grand reopening set for Oct. 25
The new owners of Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, have selected Oct. 25 as the grand reopening date for the Route 66 landmark. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the site at 1107 Historic Old Route 66. Among the activities that day: A children's Bunny Scavenger Hunt with a … Continue reading Henry’s Rabbit Ranch grand reopening set for Oct. 25
Owner of Tucumcari’s Motel Safari launches fundraising campaign to restore sign
Rich Havlik, owner of the historic Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, this week launched a GoFundMe.com campaign to restore the Route 66 establishment's main sign. Havlik wrote what the campaign, with a goal of $5,500, seeks to do: Decades of exposure to the New Mexico sun, wind, and weather have taken their toll. High … Continue reading Owner of Tucumcari’s Motel Safari launches fundraising campaign to restore sign
Future of Gold Dome in Oklahoma City becomes cloudier after death of its former owner
Johnathan Russell, 54, the former owner of the historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City, died last week of heart failure. His death has added more confusion to an already-uncertain future of the Route 66 landmark. The Oklahoman newspaper reported on the tangled details: Russell bought the Gold Dome in 2015 as it was threatened … Continue reading Future of Gold Dome in Oklahoma City becomes cloudier after death of its former owner
Longtime owner and operator of Dallas’ Dairyette restaurant in Quapaw dies
Dallas Gene Wall Sr., owner and operator of Dallas' Dairyette in Quapaw, Oklahoma, for over 50 years, died on Oct. 13. He was 84. The restaurant at 103 N. Main St. (aka Route 66) closed for a few days after his death but reopened. Wall opened Dallas' Dairyette in 1969. The Facebook page for Dallas' … Continue reading Longtime owner and operator of Dallas’ Dairyette restaurant in Quapaw dies
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces finalists for 2026 Centennial Awards
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway a few days ago announced the finalists for its 2026 Centennial Awards. The awards recognize milestones, preservation achievements, marketing efforts, hospitality and experiences that have helped define Illinois Route 66 since the byway was established in 2005. They coincide with the Mother Road’s centennial year. “We wanted these awards … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces finalists for 2026 Centennial Awards
Texas Monthly segment on PBS-TV takes a look at several Route 66 sites in the Panhandle
Texas Monthly magazine, using the concept of nostalgia as its focus, recently produced a segment for PBS-TV that features several Route 66 sites in the Panhandle. Included are the Jericho ghost town, the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum in Vega. The segment also examines the Fort Hancock 6-man football team, a … Continue reading Texas Monthly segment on PBS-TV takes a look at several Route 66 sites in the Panhandle
Mel’s Drive-In, at the western end of Route 66 in Santa Monica, may be torn down for an apartment building
Mel's Drive-In restaurant, located at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, California, might be demolished to make way for a high-rise apartment complex. Mel's fate may be decided by a preservation commission hearing in mid-December. The Los Angeles Times reported: The owners of the property have filed early paperwork to level … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In, at the western end of Route 66 in Santa Monica, may be torn down for an apartment building
Scottsdale Mint will produce silver mini-postcards as part of a Route 66 centennial collection
To commemorate Route 66's centennial, Scottsdale Mint will produce limited-edition silver mini-postcards. Each mini-postcard will measure 2.5 by 3.5 inches and showcase landmarks from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Scottsdale Mint will make just 100 of each design and produce a single master set including all the postcards in a premium collector’s box. The mini-postcards … Continue reading Scottsdale Mint will produce silver mini-postcards as part of a Route 66 centennial collection