Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away

Much of the late David Kane's valuable collection of Packard vehicles at Afton Station Route 66 Museum in Afton, Oklahoma, recently was sold and hauled away, adding uncertainty about the future of the station. Reports filtered in on social media that passers-by had seen the Packards being loaded up onto transport vehicles. Marlin Carpenter, who … Continue reading Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away

Voters in Duarte approve ban on fireworks

The Route 66 town of Duarte, California, recently enacted a ban on the use and sale of fireworks, mostly because of the fear they would ignite wildfires in the nearby foothills. But this isn't an action by a so-called out-of-control city council. This ban recently was approved by the city's voters in a ballot measure. … Continue reading Voters in Duarte approve ban on fireworks

Mother Road Market in Tulsa shows stunning early success

The Mother Road Market just off Route 66 in Tulsa opened a few weeks ago as an incubator for about 20 food or retail stores and an events center, and the results since then can be described as stunning. John Klein, a columnist for the Tulsa World newspaper, in a recent entry passed along these … Continue reading Mother Road Market in Tulsa shows stunning early success

Spook Light legend was debunked more than 70 years ago

For decades, locals of the tri-state area of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas have talked about the so-called "Spook Light" phenomenon that occurs on a country road near the hamlet of Hornet, Missouri. It's been described as a flickering ball of light that would appear in the early evening, then would disappear if you attempted to … Continue reading Spook Light legend was debunked more than 70 years ago

Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town

The Texas Historical Commission recently completed a survey of Route 66 in the Lone Star State, including an interactive Google Map that shows even obscure alignments, hundreds of photos of historic sites and an apparent ruling that Washburn once was a town on the Mother Road. Results of the survey of Texas' 178 miles of … Continue reading Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town

City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign

The city of Springfield, Illinois, revealed itself Friday as the new owner of the historic Sonrise Donuts neon signs along Route 66 in Springfield that recently went up for auction. The even-better news is Ace Sign Co. of Springfield will restore one side of the sign at no cost, and a restoration fund was set … Continue reading City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign

Wildlife officials dismiss review of Mojave Desert water project

California wildlife officials said an environmental review by Cadiz Inc. is severely flawed and a permit to extract billions of gallons of water from under the Mojave Desert cannot be approved. The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported: The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife says scientists for Cadiz and the Orange County-based Rancho Santa Margarita … Continue reading Wildlife officials dismiss review of Mojave Desert water project

Owner of Town House Dining Room in Albuquerque dies; restaurant closes

The Town House Dining Room along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque closed shortly before the death of its owner, Constantine “Dino” Argyres. Argyres, 57, died Nov. 12, according to an obituary in the Albuquerque Journal. On its Facebook page Oct. 31, the Town House posted: It brings great sadness that the Town House Dining … Continue reading Owner of Town House Dining Room in Albuquerque dies; restaurant closes

Citing state law, resident asks Lebanon to rename street Route 66

Citing a 1999 state law, a resident of Lebanon, Missouri, recently asked the city council to change Elm Street back to Route 66. For now, the local Route 66 association declined to take a stand on the issue. It's the second time in three years someone asked Lebanon to comply with the law. The Springfield … Continue reading Citing state law, resident asks Lebanon to rename street Route 66

Historic resources specialist appointed to Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership

Anne Haaker, recently retired as a deputy state historic preservation officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, recently was appointed as historic resources specialist for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. According to a new release this week from the partnership: As deputy deputy state historic preservation officer, Haaker was involved in the preservation of buildings, … Continue reading Historic resources specialist appointed to Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership