It was looking grim for the 114-year-old building that housed the Green Parrot tavern in Galena, Kan., a couple weeks ago when a sinkhole opened up behind the property and threatened to swallow it. Many people predicted, including me, that the entire building would have to be condemned. Well, reports of the Green Parrot's imminent … Continue reading Historic Galena tavern will reopen
Month: August 2006
Tucumcari theater named to historic register
The Odeon Theater, a few blocks north of Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., was added to the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties, reports the Quay County Sun. Murphey said the Odeon was recognized for its Art Deco details and for the dedication of its owner, Ramon Martinez, to keep the theater an on-going operation … Continue reading Tucumcari theater named to historic register
Another fat man is walking Route 66
Taking a page from Steve Vaught and his thefatmanwalking.com site, Gary Long is trying to lose weight by walking across the country and is documenting his quest with afatmansjourney.com. Long once weighed about 380 pounds and lost about 80 pounds walking from St. Louis to New York City. Now he's in Southern California, preparing to … Continue reading Another fat man is walking Route 66
Owner of White Fence Farm dies
This will sadden a lot of fried-chicken eaters in the Chicagoland area -- Doris Mae Hastert, owner of White Fence Farm on Route 66 in Lemont and a longtime greeter at the restaurant's front door, died at age 93 on Monday. White Fence Farm has been an area institution for about 50 years. It seats … Continue reading Owner of White Fence Farm dies
Route 66 art exhibit is tomorrow in Albuquerque
The Route 66 ARTScrawl will be held Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. For details, go here. (via Duke City Fix)
Book review: “Once Upon a Highway”
Because "Once Upon a Highway: Route 66 in Oklahoma" (162 pages, New Forums, $36.95) is written and illustrated by an architect, you would expect drawings of intricately designed buildings, such as the Coleman Theatre Beautiful and the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, that latter which was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. But what makes … Continue reading Book review: “Once Upon a Highway”
Stater Bros. grocery chain celebrates 70th anniversary
Stater Bros., a grocery chain based on Southern California, is marking its 70th year. The San Bernardino Sun published a story about the chain's history and interviewed its CEO, Jack Brown. This story is going on Route 66 News because Stater Bros. is the major sponsor of the Route 66 Rendezvous. In fact, the event … Continue reading Stater Bros. grocery chain celebrates 70th anniversary
Last Shakey’s Pizza in Illinois to become a Diamond’s Buffet
Route 66 researcher Carl Johnson sent me this excerpt about the Shakey's Pizza chain that was published recently in the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register (I no longer have the link, as it's gone into a fee-based archive): Shakey's Restaurant, 2441 S. MacArthur Blvd., is changing its name to Diamond's Buffet Restaurant. Shakey's USA is going to … Continue reading Last Shakey’s Pizza in Illinois to become a Diamond’s Buffet
Big Daddy meal is too big for this eater
Dr. Paul Reagan attempted to meet the Big Daddy challenge at Al's Route 66 Cafe in Sapulpa, Okla, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The Big Daddy is a 66-ounce hamburger, three pounds of fries and a 32-ounce milkshake. To get the $35 meal for free, you have to consume it all in 66 minutes. … Continue reading Big Daddy meal is too big for this eater
A cool place that few know is there
Livejournal is sort of like MySpace: There are lots of people and lots of traffic, but you have to sift through bushels and bushels of chaff to find a few nuggets of wheat. I found a tasty morsel today in shadowplay2's impressions of Route 66 in Illinois. He stopped at the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield … Continue reading A cool place that few know is there