The Route 66 town of Moriarty, New Mexico, next month is hosting the New Mexico Route 66 Film Festival that features 66-second films people can upload for submission. The festival is part of the 66th birthday celebration of Moriarty and nearby Buford, when both towns were incorporated (Buford later was annexed into Moriarty). The Sixty-Six … Continue reading Moriarty hosting New Mexico Route 66 Film Fest featuring 66-second videos
Month: August 2019
Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector
The historic Grants Cafe neon sign in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down earlier this month after it reportedly was purchased by a collector. An exact date when the sign was taken down wasn't available, but Sam Fiorella said the sign still was up when she went through town Aug. 9. Blue Miller -- best … Continue reading Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector
Needles seeks to add California Welcome Center in town
The Needles Chamber of Commerce recently lobbied Visit California to add a California Welcome Center in the city. The Needles Desert Star reported: According to the Visit California website, each of the California Welcome Centers is staffed with personal travel concierges, knowledgeable experts who are ready to provide information that will enhance and enrich a … Continue reading Needles seeks to add California Welcome Center in town
Vox Media posts video about Route 66
Vox Media, an offshoot of the popular American news and opinion website, a few days ago published a YouTube video with a provocative question: Why does Route 66 matter? The 17-minute video was uploaded Friday, and it had racked up 672,000 views and more than 1,100 comments by Sunday night. At one point, it was … Continue reading Vox Media posts video about Route 66
The Hotel Blue in Albuquerque will undergo $22M renovation
The Hotel Blue, once known as the Downtowner Motor Inn, in Albuquerque soon will undergo a $22 million renovation from a Los Angeles-based company. A vintage image of the Downtowner Motor Inn in Albuquerque Albuquerque Business First reported ARRIVE Hotels and Restaurants will operate the hotel after the renovations are finished and will change the … Continue reading The Hotel Blue in Albuquerque will undergo $22M renovation
Should Tulsa Route 66 Commission lobby against auto shops?
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission generally does good things for the Mother Road in northeast Oklahoma, but this story from KTUL caught my eye for a less-positive reason: If you drive the four-mile stretch of 11th Street, you’ll pass 59 used car dealerships."It's car lot after car lot, which is really not engaging people in … Continue reading Should Tulsa Route 66 Commission lobby against auto shops?
Cost to revamp 11th Street Bridge in Tulsa estimated at $26.6 million
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission wanted an updated estimate on repurposing the historic but long-closed 11th Street Bridge, and it got it -- it would be at least $26.6 million. The commission wants to reuse the bridge as a venue for events and tourism. The new cost estimate is an update from a similar plan … Continue reading Cost to revamp 11th Street Bridge in Tulsa estimated at $26.6 million
Peter Fonda, known for his iconic role in “Easy Rider,” dies at 79
Peter Fonda, the son of acting legend Henry Fonda who found fame in 1969's "Easy Rider" that was shot on Route 66, has died. He was 79. Peter Fonda on a Captain America motorcycle in 2009 According to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets, Fonda died after a bout with lung cancer. Fonda … Continue reading Peter Fonda, known for his iconic role in “Easy Rider,” dies at 79
Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
In the last few weeks, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen has tried to track down the inspiration to the Bruce Springsteen song "Sleepy Joe's Cafe," off the new, fascinating "Western Stars" album. It's easy to see why the opening lines of the song intrigued Allen: There's a place out on the highway 'cross … Continue reading Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station
An apparent hit-and-run accident damaged one of the Shell gas pumps at the historic Soulsby Station in Mount Olive, Illinois, last week. The accident occurred Saturday morning amid a group of four touring motorcyclists visiting the station. Mike Dragovich, who's owned the station since 1997, said surveillance video revealed one of the motorcyclists accidentally "dumped" … Continue reading Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station