On Oct. 9, 2005, this website hit the “publish” button for the first time.
It existed at the time on the WordPress.com platform. It has changed hosts and platforms several times since then, but its name has remained the same — Route 66 News.
The tagline also has been a constant: “A clearinghouse of news and events about historic Route 66, the Mother Road.”
I’d been a fan of Route 66 since the late 1990s. A few years later, I realized Route 66 needed a source of timely content.
A few Route 66 associations published magazines, but those came out only quarterly. The now-defunct Route 66 e-group was a good source of timely information, but its access was restricted.
A vast majority of Route 66 websites at the time talked about memories of the highway and basically described it in the past tense — a notion that irked me a bit.
Though it is no longer certified as a U.S. highway, I knew Route 66 still existed and continued to evolve. I wanted to see how it would it would transform itself in the 21st century.
I figured enough was happening on Route 66 that I set a goal of one story per day, on average. I wasn’t sure that was attainable. It turned out I underestimated it.
Less than a week after that first post, a developer in Albuquerque said he would tear down the historic El Vado Motel for townhouses. Traffic to the website was off and running.
El Vado eventually was saved, and it became a boutique motel and mixed retail development, with its fabulous neon sign still standing.
Since its inception, Route 66 has:
- Published more than 11,800 stories
- Approved more than 17,600 comments
- Totaled multiple millions of visits
- It has more than 1,800 email subscribers
- People from 220 countries have visited the site
The most popular post, by far, is the “A Route 66 guide to the ‘Cars’ movie” that was published in 2006, the same day the Disney-Pixar film first arrived on movie screens. I’m missing some data from a few years, but I can confirm that the story has been read by more than 450,000 people since 2012.
A few changes may be coming to the site in a few years, but its basic mission will remain steadfast. We’ll be around.
I know 20 years is a long time in the internet world. But I loathe mythologizing. Leave the “legend” tag to those who truly deserve it, such as Angel Delgadillo, Michael Wallis and others who’ve been Route 66 advocates for longer. As I once told Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program director Kaisa Barthuli many years ago: “I’m just a schmuck with a website.”
Through it all, I’m grateful for all your readership and your news tips. Without you, this site wouldn’t have much of a reason to exist. Thank you, and happy traveling.
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Congratulations on 20 years!!
Thank you for all you do and have done. It truly has been a valued publication from my perspective…
I love reading your daily email. Congratulations on reaching amazing milestone! Thank you and I hope you can continue your great work.
Thank you for your dedication. You are appreciated!
Regards from Costa Rica. Congratulations and keep it up!
Thank you for your efforts and congratulations on 20 years!
Congratulations on your milestone
and
Thank You ☺
Ron, Love what you have been doing, keep up the good work and keeping us all in the loop!
Cheers,
Terry
Thanks! You perform a great service.
Thanks Ron for doing this all these years! I look forward to it every day to keep me updated on what’s happening on the Mother road. Thanks again!
Congratulations on 20!!
Thanks!
Congratulations! Route 66 News is one of the best things that has happened in the 30+ years I’ve been an enthusiastic fan of the Mother Road! Ron, you’ve done First Class job of bringing your readers the latest on 66. Please know that your followers are appreciative of the investment you have made in keeping 66 at the forefront of our minds. As we get ready for the Centennial, Route 66 News is playing a key role in keeping Roadies informed on the current shape of the road, 66 businesses, and 66 people. This place has become an indispensable means for fans of the road to stay up-to-date and informed. A thousand thank-yous!
We sure appreciate the news and entertainment information provided. The consistent unbiased reporting is always a welcomed “read”. Thanks for your consistency. Keep it up for another 20 years.
I never miss an article here and always look forward to the next one. Such a great service to those who love 66 and want to know what is going on along the road. Sad to see things go but happy that we get notified and get a last chance to visit them. Keep up the great work. Hope you have many years to come.