Prolific author Stephen H. Provost this spring released two books barely two months apart about the early history of American roads and the so-called golden age of U.S. highways. "America's First Highways" delves into the pre-1926 era when the nation's main roads -- including a precursor to Route 66 -- were named and not numbered. … Continue reading Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Month: June 2020
Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant
Route History, a former gas station in Springfield, Illinois, that tells the African American experience of Route 66 and acts a souvenir shop, recently earned an $80,047 grant from the state. The grant from the Illinois Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program will the owners help buy the property, improve its grounds, add two staff members … Continue reading Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant
Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
The mother of biracial children said she and her children were told by a KOA campground manager in Stanton, Missouri, they weren't welcome to use the facility's showers -- an echo of the Jim Crow discrimination era. The campground later apologized. The incident occurred at the Stanton / Meramec KOA Journey campground in Stanton, just … Continue reading Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
The owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced Tuesday the Route 66 landmark property was under contract after being on the market for more than 18 months. The deal with "a delightful couple" is expected to close later this month. Co-owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller posted this message on Facebook: They … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
Security shutters being added to KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque in April filed an application to add security shutters to its historic KiMo Theatre, which recently was damaged by a riot in the days after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody. The State Historic Preservation Office will consider the request after Albuquerque’s Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission approved it last week, … Continue reading Security shutters being added to KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque
Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
The Baxter Springs Historical Museum in Baxter Springs, Kansas, is holding an exhibit of a deceased local artisan who made unique tiny sculptures from peach pits, called "Pitt Pets." Duane M. Lee, who died at age 65 in 2005, made an estimated 10,000 of his Pitt Pets, according to his son Don, and gave them … Continue reading Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
The Meteor City Trading Post eventually will reopen for the first time since 2012 after its new owners have received a hand up from nearby Route 66 businesses and enthusiasts. The Arizona Daily Sun in a feature story recounts the three-year saga of Joann and Michael Brown of Indiana, who bought the abandoned and vandalized … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
300 drive-in theaters to screen a one-night-only concert of Garth Brooks
Country music superstar Garth Brooks will perform a one-night-only show at 300 drive-in theaters across the United States, including one at the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa, a Route 66 landmark. The show will be beamed to the theaters beginning at dusk on June 27. Some details weren't known, but several drive-in theaters stated the … Continue reading 300 drive-in theaters to screen a one-night-only concert of Garth Brooks
A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66
Last week, Tim Landes of TulsaPeople magazine sat down for a chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa. For the uninitiated, the gift shop in a repurposed gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) not only commissioned its own Muffler Man fiberglass … Continue reading A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66
Vintage Firestone station in downtown Albuquerque closes
Firestone Complete Auto Care, a fixture along Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque since at least the early 1930s, closed and its classic neon sign was hauled away about a month ago. The auto-repair shop was at Seventh Street and Central Avenue (aka Route 66). Downtown Albuquerque News (subscription required) reported: In response to questions, Firestone … Continue reading Vintage Firestone station in downtown Albuquerque closes