The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department recently released an updated digital Route 66 Guide --- the first such publication to be re-released as fully digital. The updated guide is 63 pages. According to a news release from the department: “Going digital with our specialty publications gives us an exciting opportunity to make our guides more … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism’s updated Route 66 Guide goes fully digital
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.
Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Route 66 Association of Japan form an ambassadorship
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the Route 66 Association of Japan announced this week they had formed an ambassadorship. More information from a story from the Oklahoma association: Working together, the two associations hope to increase awareness of Oklahoma’s unique culture for Japanese travelers while also bringing opportunities to experience Japan’s cultural traditions to … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Route 66 Association of Japan form an ambassadorship
Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church
A local journalist recently acquired the former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church that stands along Route 66 near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The church not only is known for being right next to the Mother Road, but it also contains a still-working neon cross atop its steeple visible from nearby Interstate 44. The church only is about 1 … Continue reading Local journalist acquires former Hazelgreen United Methodist Church
Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is considering the acquisition of the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant -- best known for its unique, 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue -- in nearby Wilmington, Illinois. The Herald-News published the story Saturday less than a week after the Launching Pad was listed for $1.4 million on the Crexi commercial … Continue reading Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant
West Central Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque offers sneak-preview hours
The West Central Route 66 Visitor Center won't open until sometime next year, but the facility is offering sneak-preview hours while stuff is being moved into the facility. The center stated this in a recent Facebook post: Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, these preview days provide a unique … Continue reading West Central Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque offers sneak-preview hours
Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, has been decorated for the Christmas season for nearly 15 years. But on Saturday, the city added a new twist to the annual event. Santa in his sleigh was placed onto the pond, with a long string of Christmas lights leading to the whale, as if the big … Continue reading Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist
Closed Stratford Inn hotel in Fenton to be torn down by March
The closed Stratford Inn hotel along the Route 66 corridor of the west St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri, will be demolished by mid-March. The St. Louis Business Journal, citing a newsletter from Fenton's mayor, reported the motel, event space and bar along Interstate 44 will be torn down within a few months. The complex … Continue reading Closed Stratford Inn hotel in Fenton to be torn down by March
Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns
The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently fenced off the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, because of safety concerns about its deck. Gary Sosniecki, a key contributor to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, posted on Facebook about the situation: Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri said on Sept. 7, … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen fenced off due to safety concerns
Route 66 Association of Missouri now is selling a special black Route 66 license plate
The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently announced it is offering an exclusive black Route 66 license plate, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue. The plate can be ordered online here. Once ordered, it will arrive in your mailbox in four to six weeks. The association passed along this information about the plate: … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri now is selling a special black Route 66 license plate
‘Largest Christmas tree along Route 66’ erected in Bristow
The Bristow Retail Merchants Association of Bristow, Oklahoma, recently raised a 26-foot-tall "Cowboy Christmas" tree it is touting as the "largest Christmas tree along Route 66." According to Fox 23 in nearby Tulsa: The 26-foot Wisconsin Balsam fir made a long journey to Bristow, nearly 1,000 miles. Molly and Socks Christmas Tree Farm who was … Continue reading ‘Largest Christmas tree along Route 66’ erected in Bristow