In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, there's this story from the Joliet (Ill.) Herald News. Travelers along Old Route 66 sometimes stop to shoot photos of the nuclear power plant in Braidwood. But they're likely to face questioning by police or plant security. Heightened surveillance around Exelon Nuclear's Braidwood Station is … Continue reading Overkill security
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.
Another one gone
The neon sign of the Western Capri Motel in southwest Tulsa was replaced last week with a less interesting sign, I discovered Wednesday. The motel is on the Skelly Drive alignment of Route 66, near Interstate 44 / Oklahoma 66. I talked to Dara, who was working the front desk of the motel. I asked … Continue reading Another one gone
Ham radio operators start celebration of Route 66
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reminds us that amateur radio operators across the nation are celebrating the 80th anniversary of Route 66 today through Sept. 17. That includes broadcasts today from Route 66 Days in Strafford, Mo., and, from what I hear, Route 66 Harley Davidson in Tulsa. The Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club in California … Continue reading Ham radio operators start celebration of Route 66
Lewis Motel sign up for sale
The neon sign from the closed Lewis Motel on Route 66 in Vinita, Okla., is for sale on eBay. You can see the listing here. Bidding starts at $50, and the auction ends in about a week. There's sad news about the motel, though. The seller says: The motel has recently closed and will be … Continue reading Lewis Motel sign up for sale
Route 66 blog roundup
Anthony Ross, whose roadside artwork has been mentioned on this site, has a new blog, Roadsigns. Steve and Lizzie have Route 66 included in Steve and Lizzie's Great American Road Trip blog. Jgmoney has created a new blog called Postcards from the Mother Road. He and Nancy are driving the entire length of Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 blog roundup
Route 66 Corridor grants announced
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, run by the Nationa Park Service, has announced its annual recipients of cost-share grants totaling $117,102. The news release does a good job detailing the recipients and for what purpose, so I'm quoting it verbatim and adding links where applicable: 1) Atlanta, Illinois – Palms Grill Café. Grant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor grants announced
Coffeehouse / art gallery opens in Fontana
Tazza Mia in the Route 66 town of Fontana, Calif., is a combination coffeehouse, art gallery and pottery studio. It opened during Cruise Night and Market Night in downtown Fontana last week, reports the Fontana Herald News. Another thing significant about Tazza Mia is it held an exhibition by artist Pete Morris, which included a … Continue reading Coffeehouse / art gallery opens in Fontana
Taking the scenic route
After fits and starts too complicated to recount here, the quest to make Route 66 in Oklahoma a scenic byway is starting to get some traction. (Disclosure: I was involved to a small degree in this effort via the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, but we finally got someone in the state who will do this … Continue reading Taking the scenic route
Shunpiking
Shunpiking is the practice of avoiding toll roads, or turnpikes, and driving nearby free roads to save a few bucks. Shunpiking is of interest in Oklahomans. The Sooner State is full of toll roads, including a stretch from the Missouri-Kansas line to Oklahoma City that shadows the Mother Road. I learned about shunpiking through Dan … Continue reading Shunpiking
A trek in tribute to her father
The News & Observer in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., has an interesting story about Diana Garside, who's in a 1935 Austin Seven touring Route 66 with five other antique Sevens. She's doing the Mother Road in tribute to her dad, who died before he was able to do the same thing himself. A regularly updated blog wrriten … Continue reading A trek in tribute to her father