The longtime owners of the Milagro gas station west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will retire by the end of August. The future of the Route 66 landmark remains unknown. Last week's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator reported Rudy and Doris Marquez will turn in the keys to the station after 24 years because … Continue reading Owners of Milagro gas station soon will retire
Month: August 2016
Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Look what hopped up in my feed. KSDK-TV, the popular NBC affiliate in St. Louis, gave two minutes to Henry's Rabbit Ranch on old Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois. Henry's been doing this schtick for more than 20 years now, which makes him a veteran in Route 66 circles. (Image of Rich Henry by Marcin … Continue reading Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building
An authentic Mexican restaurant becomes the latest tenant to move into the building in Springfield, Illinois, that contains the historic Sonrise Donuts neon sign on its roof. Taqueria Moroleon opened in the building at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) that contains a horseshoe-shaped Formica counter and red counter stools, reported the State Journal-Register. The … Continue reading Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building
Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill Saturday that allows motorcyclists to buy a special Illinois Route 66 license plate that benefits the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway fund. Rauner signed the bill at the historic Mahan service station at Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Fulgenzi's purchased and moved the … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill
Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday lifted an injunction that prevented the city of Albuquerque from beginning construction on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project on Central Avenue, aka Route 66. The Albuquerque Journal reported construction may begin next week, although work may be pushed back to Sept. 3. The newspaper reported: Friday’s order simply lifts … Continue reading Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
When much of Route 66 was segregated
If you've got an hour, watch this recent video about author and photographer Candacy Taylor, who attended the Bay Area Book Festival to talk about her research into Route 66 and the Negro Motorist Green Book. If you're not familiar with the Green Book, it was an annual guide published from 1936 to 1966 by Harlem postal … Continue reading When much of Route 66 was segregated
Owners of Summit Inn say they will rebuild
Amid the bad news about the historic Summit Inn restaurant burning down, a sliver of good news emerged Wednesday night -- its owners plan to rebuild. The San Bernardino County Sun reported: But new owners Katherine Juarez and her brother Otto Recinos, who recently purchased the restaurant, want to bring it back. “We plan to rebuild it … Continue reading Owners of Summit Inn say they will rebuild
Wildfire destroys landmark Summit Inn
A fast-moving wildfire in Cajon Pass in Southern California destroyed the Route 66 landmark Summit Inn restaurant on Tuesday night, confirmed several media outlets in the Los Angeles region. The Los Angeles Times posted video from the scene as flames consumed the historic cafe. The Facebook page for the Oak Hills restaurant posted this message late … Continue reading Wildfire destroys landmark Summit Inn
Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
A record 38,000 people attended the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, this past weekend. KOLR-TV reported 28,000 people attended on Saturday alone, with 5,000 on Friday and another 5,000 on Sunday. Vendors reported bigger crowd sizes, as well. About 23,000 people attended the 2015 festival. A record of more than 400 … Continue reading Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem
I've been on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, at least 10 times, probably more. But while surfing for Route 66 videos and looking over the city's website for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, I stumbled onto a landmark that I don't recall seeing. And it may be the oldest on that stretch of the … Continue reading Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem