The New Mexico Department of Transportation recently approved expanded access for the restored Santa Fe Railway steam locomotive 2926, operated by the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society, to be between Bernalillo and Los Lunas. The agreement grants the New Mexico Heritage Rail operating rights on 40 miles of NMDOT-owned Rail Runner Express … Continue reading State approves expanded route for Santa Fe locomotive 2926 between Bernalillo, Los Lunas
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Tulsa Arts Commission approves 66-foot fiberglass dinosaur at Howard Park
The Tulsa Arts Commission recently approved plans for a 66-foot fiberglass dinosaur that will be installed at Howard Park along Route 66. News on 6 in Tulsa reported: The statue will be built by the same creators behind the popular Buck Atom and Stella Atom figures on 11th Street, which have become standout landmarks and … Continue reading Tulsa Arts Commission approves 66-foot fiberglass dinosaur at Howard Park
Needles soon will commemorate 50th anniversary of Spike from “Peanuts” comic strip
A couple of entities in the Route 66 town of Needles, California, will commemorate the 50th anniversary in mid-August of the creation of Spike in the long-running "Peanuts" comic strip. A celebration first will occur from 10 a.m. to noon local time on Aug. 12 at the Colorado River Medical Center in Needles, coordinated by … Continue reading Needles soon will commemorate 50th anniversary of Spike from “Peanuts” comic strip
Ground broken for Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and other officials participated in Friday's ceremonial groundbreaking for the Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center. The city posted a photo from the event: More from a report by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association: “You can argue the most iconic monument on the most famous road in the world is … Continue reading Ground broken for Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center
Historic Ed’s Camp on Oatman Road listed for $1.39 million
The historic Ed's Camp along Oatman Road (aka Route 66) between Kingman and Oatman, Arizona, has been placed on the market for $1.39 million. Though that sounds like a big ask, the 121-acre property includes three homes, two wells, septic systems and electricity. Sandy Dudley of Kingman Premier Properties is listing the complex. Some excerpts: … Continue reading Historic Ed’s Camp on Oatman Road listed for $1.39 million
Boots Court Visitors Center designated as the Carthage’s visitors center
The city council of Carthage, Missouri, officially designated the Boots Court Visitors Center at the Boots Court motel as the city’s visitors center. The city will contribute $3,000 monthly to the visitors center's operation, reported the Joplin Globe (subscription required). The council voted unanimously to give final approval to the ordinance after hearing from Boots … Continue reading Boots Court Visitors Center designated as the Carthage’s visitors center
Route 66-themed miniature golf course opens in Elk City
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held Monday in Ackley Park in Elk City, Oklahoma, for Puttin' in the Park -- a Route 66-themed miniature golf course. The attraction also includes a commemorative fountain display. Several local and state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, attended the opening. Here are photos of the course from Oklahoma Tourism: … Continue reading Route 66-themed miniature golf course opens in Elk City
Glancy Motel sign to be restored, moved to Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
The neon sign for the torn-down Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, will be restored and moved to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) published a photo of a company moving the sign Monday from its longstanding site at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66). The newspaper reported … Continue reading Glancy Motel sign to be restored, moved to Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff nearly faced demolition 50 years ago
It seems unthinkable now, but the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, was in such sorry shape that a building inspector recommended tearing it down in 1975. That and other fascinating facts about the Route 66 landmark were contained in a recent article in the Arizona Daily Sun. Brothers Henry and Lloyd Taylor bought the hotel … Continue reading Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff nearly faced demolition 50 years ago
Vitale’s Hideaway near Worden featured in “Bar Rescue” TV series
Vitale's Hideaway, formerly known as Slotzy's, near Worden, Illinois, is featured on the "Bar Rescue" television reality series on the Paramount Network. Vitale's at 7708 State Route 4 sits where two prominent Route 66 alignments converge -- the original Illinois 4 alignment and the later alignment of the Mother Road. In the show, entrepreneur and … Continue reading Vitale’s Hideaway near Worden featured in “Bar Rescue” TV series