Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena

Temporary fencing soon will be installed on the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, to deter suicidal people from jumping off the historic span. According to a report Friday in the Pasadena Star-News: The 10-foot tall mesh barricades are going up in front of 20 pedestrian alcoves along the bridge over the next week. City … Continue reading Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena

Route 66: The Road Ahead launches website, issues second-quarter report

Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the launch of a new website, at route66roadahead.org. According to a news release from the nonprofit group: The purpose of the website is to assist in achieving the mission of the Road Ahead Partnership by fostering a sense of collaboration among Route 66 stakeholders, private organizations, government … Continue reading Route 66: The Road Ahead launches website, issues second-quarter report

Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City dedicated

Dozens of residents gathered Thursday to dedicate the new Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park on the east edge of Webb City, Missouri. The park sits on a formerly grubby triangle of land near Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co., which was a major driver of the project, including a $25,000 donation from the company's president. The park … Continue reading Cardinal Route 66 Memorial Park in Webb City dedicated

Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal will open in August

The Sprague's Super Service station is scheduled to open to the public next month as a Route 66 visitors center after the city of Normal, Illinois, finishes its rehabilitation. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported: "We’re definitely going to be ready to open the doors this summer, possibly a soft opening early next month with a ribbon … Continue reading Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal will open in August

Fire damages Redmon’s Candy Factory

A fire Tuesday believed caused by a cigarette damaged Redmon's Candy Factory in Phillipsburg, Missouri, but the business reopened less than 24 hours later. The building sustained fire, smoke and water damage. A woman answering the phone at Redmon's said the popular roadside stop reopened about noon Wednesday. The cleanup after the fire apparently went well. The … Continue reading Fire damages Redmon’s Candy Factory

Plan would demolish Oklahoma City’s Classen Circle

A chain restaurant submitted plans to the city of Oklahoma City to tear down all the buildings in Classen Circle, which includes Classen Grill and other historic businesses. OKCTalk.com broke the news Wednesday. Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, a popular chain in Oklahoma, wants to build a store there. They have filed to rezone .48 … Continue reading Plan would demolish Oklahoma City’s Classen Circle

Replacement festival opposed for Rockabilly on the Route

A proposal by a city official to organize a replacement festival for the discontinued Rockabilly on the Route music fest in Tucumcari, New Mexico, was tabled after Rockabilly's co-organizer said such a bid would be "theft" of intellectual property. Rockabilly on the Route organizers, however, said they were open on organizing a Route 66 festival … Continue reading Replacement festival opposed for Rockabilly on the Route

Book review: ‘Route 66: An American Myth’

Before this book review begins, one needs to review the definitions of the word "myth." According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the first entry to define that word is "a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon." … Continue reading Book review: ‘Route 66: An American Myth’

Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant reopens after fire

Skippy's Route 66 Restaurant near Leasburg, Missouri, reopened last week after a fire heavily damaged the old Route 66 business in October. Skippy's posted on its Facebook page July 6: We have officially opened up! Good times to pull that switch for that open sign! It's been a long road, but I can officially state … Continue reading Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant reopens after fire

Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project

Noted author and retired professor T. Lindsay Baker is traveling Route 66 in a 1930 Ford Model A as part of research into a book he'll be writing about restaurants and dining along the Mother Road. Tulsa World columnist Ginnie Graham caught up with Baker last week in Tulsa. The article is far-ranging and ought … Continue reading Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project