Litchfield drive-in converting to digital

The historic SkyView Drive-In theater along old Route 66 in Litchfield, Ill., soon will convert from 35mm film to a digital format, according to Sonic Equipment Co., a cinema equipment company that's been hired to do the work. This is only the third drive-in where the company has switched it to digital. The other two … Continue reading Litchfield drive-in converting to digital

A Santa Fe Christmas

Santa Fe's history, architecture, and culture make it a unique place to visit during the holidays. This video by Ken Lord from a couple of years ago shows it: https://vimeo.com/8414838

Former Midway restaurant will be demolished

The building that once housed the Midway restaurant at old Route 66 and Missouri Highway 19 in Cuba, Mo., soon will be demolished, reported the Cuba Free Press. The Midway started as a small cafe in the 1930s and kept expanding. The newspaper article makes it clear that the restaurant was a focal point of … Continue reading Former Midway restaurant will be demolished

Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield

Bill Shea, longtime proprietor of a gas station museum along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., turns 90 years old on Dec. 30, and is also marking his 66th year as a business owner on the Mother Road. To mark the occasion, the City of Springfield is declaring Dec. 30 as Bill Shea Day, according to … Continue reading Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield

Chevrolet announces finalists for Route 66 ad campaign

Chevrolet today has chosen 35 finalists who seek to have an advertisement aired during the 2012 Super Bowl. All of the videos can be viewed at ChevroletRoute66.com. If you share one of them, you earn a chance at a $10,000 prize (registration is required). According to USA Today about the campaign: Chevrolet Route 66 is … Continue reading Chevrolet announces finalists for Route 66 ad campaign

Tests begin for Mater ride at Cars Land

Testing has started for the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride at Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. This is where baby tractors twirl and swing around, pulling trailers behind them. Riders sit in those trailers. https://youtu.be/-FcVu_QUub4 According to the Disney Parks Blog:  When completed, the tractors will appear to be dancing to songs that Mater is singing – … Continue reading Tests begin for Mater ride at Cars Land

Doing it their way

Here's a wonderful clip made by the folks at Mother's Brewing Co., based in Springfield, Mo. You'll quickly find it's inspired by a certain 1970s sitcom. https://youtu.be/vhHe43O7qRg The microbrewery, by the way, sits less than a block south of the St. Louis Street / College Street alignment of Route 66. (Hat tip: Christian Gideon)

Milk Bottle Building

Here's a short video of the Milk Bottle Building along Route 66 in Oklahoma City (map here). The clip shows the building's triangle shape and how small it is. According to the National Park Service, the 1930 building measures 350 square feet. https://youtu.be/TNEJoJIz7Mw The building once housed a grocery, an ice-cream shop and other things. … Continue reading Milk Bottle Building

Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum

Santa Rosa, N.M., is applying for a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program so it can renovate the historic Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse near downtown and eventually house what would be the state's only Route 66 museum. On Dec. 15, Santa Rosa tourism director Richard Delgado announced the intent during a mass email to about 30 Route … Continue reading Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum

Continuing the tradition

This nativity set was erected each Christmas season for at least 50 years by Pauline Armstrong, longtime co-owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo. Connie Echols, the new owner of the historic Route 66 motel, has continued the tradition: If you have other wintry scenes of Christmas-related photos along Route 66, email them to … Continue reading Continuing the tradition