If the material on Route 66 News seems a bit sparse or somewhat disorganized in recent days, there's a good reason. I was out of town the entire weekend, and any use I had of a computer was sporadic. Projects that would have required more of my time were shoved to the back burner. The … Continue reading A note of thanks
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.
A close encounter with Bonnie & Clyde
Columnist Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader passed on the tale of a reader's chance meeting with outlaws Bonnie & Clyde on Route 66. It's a good story.
Cleaning up old Route 66
This report from the Arizona Republic does a good job of why it's important the old, abandoned gas stations are being cleaned up along old Route 66, especially in a stretch between Holbrook and Winslow. The Department of Environmental Quality program is sparking new interest in development along the Mother Road. Before, no one was willing to … Continue reading Cleaning up old Route 66
Eisler Bros. store gets the Hollywood treatment
Scott Nelson and his Eisler Bros. Store on old Route 66 in Riverton, Kan., has seen some interesting visitors in the past few years. The people of Pixar Animation Studios made several visits at the store while researching Route 66 for their "Cars" movie. More tidbits about Pixar and the movie can be read in … Continue reading Eisler Bros. store gets the Hollywood treatment
Interstates hit a wall
The 50th anniversary of the U.S. interstate highway systems has been observed for a few months now. However, I've found that most media accounts of the interstate's history, impact and future have been shallow. Until now. Patrick May of the San Jose Mercury-News published a remarkably comprehensive report about the interstates' impact on California. Naturally, … Continue reading Interstates hit a wall
Pretty petrified
The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is celebrating its centennial this year. The Arizona Republic has a story about the park's history and its magnificent scenery.
Happier burger
Growing up in Sapulpa, Okla., Reggie Hankes and a buddy used to walk to the Happy Burger restaurant on Route 66 for a bite to eat. As he grew into adulthood, his sentimental attachment to the restaurant strengthened. Whenever he was in town, Hankes would stop by, he told the Sapulpa Daily Herald. It was … Continue reading Happier burger
The King of “Route 66”
Nat King Cole was the first to make Bobby Troup's now-immortal song "Route 66" a national hit. Here is Cole, performing the song in 1950. Cole was known for his ultra-smooth voice, but he also was an outstanding jazz pianist. Here, you can see both those talents on display.
New die-cast cars from “Cars”
ToyWiz.com is taking orders for the new batch of die-cast toy cars from the Disney-Pixar film "Cars," including these new ones: A Radiator Springs version of Lightning McQueen. A young Mater (in teal color). A young Doc Hudson (in the Hudson Hornet logo). A yellow Ramone. The Ferrari. A two-pack of "Toy Story's" Buzz and … Continue reading New die-cast cars from “Cars”
“Cars” helps spur new interest in VW minibuses
Call it the Fillmore effect. In the weeks after the Pixar-Disney movie "Cars" was released, we saw a lot more eBay sellers mention the hippie character in the film when they were trying to unload their Volkswagen minibuses from the 1960s. "Cars" didn't have an effect on just minibuses, either. We also saw the value … Continue reading “Cars” helps spur new interest in VW minibuses