Debra Hodkin, who runs the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., gave the Route 66 yahoogroup some bad news yesterday: Greystone Cafe at 31317 E. Main in Barstow, CA, is being torn down. This is a section of Route 66 where the road runs parallel with the freeway near the Marine Base. … Continue reading Historic Barstow cafe torn down
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.
Restoration of Needles hotel begins
The long-closed El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., built in 1908 and one of the last surviving railroad Harvey Houses, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its rehabilitation, reported the Mohave Daily News. According to the article: Plans call for El Garces to include a state of California Needles Visitor Center, an inter-modal transit center, … Continue reading Restoration of Needles hotel begins
Southwest Missouri tourism site launched
The site, which features Route 66 prominently, is here. According to the Springfield News-Leader: The alliance is a marketing organization that aims to create positive economic growth in the region through cooperative tourism promotion and development. Its members include convention and visitors bureaus in Springfield, Carthage and Joplin as well as several chambers of commerce … Continue reading Southwest Missouri tourism site launched
Book review: “Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride”
When Michael Wallis informed us that he was writing a book about Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid, we hoped that Wallis would separate the reality from the myth in Billy the Kid's story. It wouldn't be an easy task. Since his death at age 21 to a bullet from Pat Garrett's gun in 1881, … Continue reading Book review: “Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride”
“First Snow” opens to limited release
"First Snow," the thriller starring Guy Pearce that was filmed almost entirely in the Route 66 town of Albuquerque, opened to limited release on Friday. According to some stories I read, the film will gain wider release later. Here's the premise: Stranded after an accident outside a desolate town, Jimmy Munson (Guy Pearce) visits a … Continue reading “First Snow” opens to limited release
Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader reports that state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, has introduced a bill that would protect the long-closed Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66 in Pontiac. Senate Bill 768 would transfer ownership of the unique gun-shaped building to Livingston County for $10. The building recently had been declared state … Continue reading Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
Tucumcari’s neon damaged
Severe thunderstorms struck the border lands of Texas and New Mexico on Friday, resulting in tornadoes in Logan and Clovis, N.M., and hailstorms in the Route 66 town Tucumcari, N.M., that knocked out many of the famed neon signs in town, according to the Quay County Sun. Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel … Continue reading Tucumcari’s neon damaged
Tucumcari applies for racetrack, casino permit
The Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., has applied for the state's last remaining permit for a horse-racing track and casino that would be on the Mother Road, reports the Quay County Sun. The ownership would be a joint effort between the county, Tucumcari and the nearby towns of House, San Jon and Logan. The … Continue reading Tucumcari applies for racetrack, casino permit
Pared-down theme park proposed
Developers for a proposed theme park outside of Williams, Ariz., brought out a leaner, revised plan during the City Council meeting on Thursday night, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. [I]t appears the land on which the project will be built has been secured and financing from private investors -- to the tune of $250 million … Continue reading Pared-down theme park proposed
Canyon views
This is basically a slide show with classical music in the background (it sounds familiar, but I can't place the composer). But the images aren't ordinary. Oh my. This is why many people love the Southwest. The YouTube poster described this clip as such: From Nevada Red Rock Canyon to Zion, Bryce, North Rim, Glen, … Continue reading Canyon views