Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66

The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County each approved resolutions to improve an original stretch of Route 66 running south of the city before the highway’s centennial in 2026. The Albuquerque Journal reported the efforts will involve Sunset Road and Isleta Boulevard, from Central Avenue to the Pueblo of Isleta. The two roads started as … Continue reading Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66

What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Hemmings Motor News published a valuable story with the headline “What’s behind the push to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail?” that provides a lot of background behind the initiative. It appears the story was prompted by Mobil 1’s current “Keep Route 66 Kickin'” tour, which includes an online petition to support a national-trail … Continue reading What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

New kiosk added to Camp Cajon monument site in southern California

A new informational kiosk recently was added to the Camp Cajon monument site near Phelan, California, that describes the major highways and roads that passed by the long-defunct rest area. Here’s a look at the kiosk from the camp’s Facebook account: Camp Cajon’s champions about a year ago installed a century-old, concrete picnic table at … Continue reading New kiosk added to Camp Cajon monument site in southern California

Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023

A long-awaited renovation of a 9-foot-wide, century-old section of Route 66 — better known as the Sidewalk Highway — in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is slated to begin sometime in 2023. According to KSNF-TV, the project is in the planning stage: “What we got is a 1920 Federal Highway which is now a national trail, and … Continue reading Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023

New Route 66 National Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) on Friday introduced the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) as the co-sponsor. The bill is so new, it hadn’t yet been added to the database of the Congress’ bill-search website as of Friday evening. The Route … Continue reading New Route 66 National Historic Trail bill introduced in Congress

New signs on Old Route 66 near Arcadia commemorate National Register designation

Last month, Oklahoma County erected signs that marked a semi-obscure section of historic Route 66 roadbed near Arcadia, Oklahoma, and commemorated its designation to the National Register of Historic Places. Shellee Graham, who lives on the road with her husband, Route 66 researcher Jim Ross, posted a series of photos of the sign being installed: … Continue reading New signs on Old Route 66 near Arcadia commemorate National Register designation

Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass

The team behind the recently constructed Camp Cajon Monument in Southern California’s Cajon Pass recently offered tours of Camp Cajon and other sites along the famed mountain path. The monument itself sits at the south end of Wagon Train Road, near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Highway 138. The monument was dedicated in 2019 to … Continue reading Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass

U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, advancing it to the office of President Donald Trump for his signature. Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership that shepherded the bill, said in a news release Tuesday the House suspended its regular rules to … Continue reading U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature

Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”

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”

Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami

Officials in Miami, Oklahoma, want to use a Rails to Trails project to help rehabilitate the historic stretch of the 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway of Route 66 between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma. KSNF-TV reported the four-phase project will involve an eight-mile route across Ottawa County and the Neosho River, near Miami. The project will also incorporate … Continue reading Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami