Research Route 66 will kick off a Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series in January, when the first guest is David Dunaway, talking about "The Hidden Voices of Route 66." Throughout the series, participants will hear about diverse topics that highlight Route 66’s impact and legacy. Sessions will cover the history of foodways along the road, … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series to begin next month
Route 66 at Wellston is fully reopened to traffic
Interstate 44 construction affecting Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, was finally completed this month, reopening the highway to traffic for the first time and eliminating detours that had complicated travel through the area. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently passed along information about the reopening: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation stated that work would be … Continue reading Route 66 at Wellston is fully reopened to traffic
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers
Range Cafe, formerly the Standard Diner in Albuquerque, closing this month
The Range Cafe at 320 Central Ave. in Albuquerque, which previously operated as the Standard Diner, is closing this weekend. The operators of the Route 66 restaurant said they decided to close that location because the building probably will be sold, reported KOB-TV in Albuquerque. The last day is Dec. 27. The move comes after … Continue reading Range Cafe, formerly the Standard Diner in Albuquerque, closing this month
Frank and Lynne Kocevar’s video Christmas card for 2025
In what has become a tradition at Route 66 News, here is the latest edition of Frank and Lynne Kocevar's annual video Christmas card. They've been doing this for 16 years running. Scenes and a cast of characters in this year's video come from Williams, Flagstaff, Prescott and Yuma in Arizona. https://vimeo.com/1146274466?fl=ip&fe=ec The Kocevars were … Continue reading Frank and Lynne Kocevar’s video Christmas card for 2025
Travel videographer Adam the Woo dies at 51
Popular travel videographer Adam Williams, better known as Adam the Woo, died on Monday at his home in Celebration, Florida. He was 51. According to the Victorville (California) Daily Press and other media outlets, sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check and found him deceased in bed. An autopsy is pending, but friends said it appeared … Continue reading Travel videographer Adam the Woo dies at 51
Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa receives $1 million grant for expansion
The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will receive a grant more than $1 million grant for an expansion project. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce earmarked $1,080,000 for the expansion as part of its Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in January, and an opening date is expected in … Continue reading Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa receives $1 million grant for expansion
El Cafecito restaurant in Grants for sale for $2.2 million
El Cafecito, a restaurant along Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico for almost 40 years, has been put on the market for $2.2 million. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), owners Larry and Angela Baca are selling because of health concerns. The sale price includes all the fixtures and equipment. The Bacas have offered … Continue reading El Cafecito restaurant in Grants for sale for $2.2 million
Sapulpa giving away pieces of Route 66 during the highway’s centennial in 2026
Route 66 travelers who visit Sapulpa, Oklahoma, in 2026 will have a chance to take home an actual piece of the Mother Road. Sapulpa’s "Great Route 66 Giveaway" marks one of three Sapulpa Main Street projects honoring the 100th anniversary of U.S. 66, which Congress approved on Nov. 11, 1926. The other two: Sapulpa Main … Continue reading Sapulpa giving away pieces of Route 66 during the highway’s centennial in 2026
Oklahoma City National Memorial starts construction on a $12 million addition
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which pays tribute to the 1995 domestic terrorism attack that killed more than 160 people, broke ground last week on a $12 million addition called Forward. The museum stated this about its forthcoming, 10,000-square-foot structure: Foreword introduces new and expanded programming spaces in an engaging architectural work. Designed to … Continue reading Oklahoma City National Memorial starts construction on a $12 million addition