The El Reno (Okla.) Tribune has a story about the town's Burger Day festival over the weekend, which seemed to do OK attendance-wise despite intermittent rain. Of course, it's hard to not draw a crowd when you're making this: The crowd at Petree Plaza kept growing, each person anxious to see, and taste, the big … Continue reading Rain doesn’t dampen appetites at Burger Day
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.
Catching the ol’ No. 844
Route 66 roadie Brian Kreimendahl went to catch the Union Pacific Railroad's historic No. 844 steam engine as it powered its way into the Route 66 towns of Tucumcari and Santa Rosa, N.M., last week as part of its South Express History Tour. Brian has a lot of nice photos on his site here, including … Continue reading Catching the ol’ No. 844
A bittersweet anniversary
KSDK-TV in St. Louis points out this excellent but (for me) bittersweet Web site by the Missouri Department of Transportation on the 50th anniversary of the interstate highway system. The site contains a lot of interesting history and photos (including ones displayed here). But it's bittersweet to read because the interstates nearly sounded the … Continue reading A bittersweet anniversary
Blogger sees “Cars,” expresses concern
Tallglassofmilk with the Drink This blog saw a screening of Pixar's "Cars" movie a few days ago. He proclaimed it as "fantastic," but expressed this concern: A must-see for NASCAR fans and anyone who appreciates American nostalgia -- or life before freeways. But, as fabulous as it is, I'm not sure this one will be … Continue reading Blogger sees “Cars,” expresses concern
New murals being painted in Barstow
The San Bernardino County Sun has a story about a volunteer group called Main Street Murals and its efforts along the main drag of Barstow, Calif. Already, colorful murals in the area of Main Street depict the image of William Barstow Strong, for whom the city is named; the historic Harvey House depot, built in … Continue reading New murals being painted in Barstow
Columnist tells of Missouri Route 66’s scenery
In the wake of Missouri's Route 66 being declared a scenic byway, columnist Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reflects on the scenery that once could be seen on the Mother Road.
About 700 participate in Arizona’s Fun Run
So much for high gas prices. The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner reports that about 700 vehicles participated in the Arizona Route 66 Association's 19th annual Fun Run. I don't know whether that's a record, but such healthy participation indicates that people are willing to get their kicks, high pump prices or not.
Yikes!
Here's a headline that will send a shiver: "Fatal truck accident involves radioactive waste materials" According to KPNX-TV in Phoenix, the accident happened on Interstate 40 in western Arizona and has forced traffic onto old Route 66 between Seligman and Ash Fork. Arizona Dept. of Public Safety Officer Tim Mason says two tractor-trailer rigs collided … Continue reading Yikes!
Here’s to roadside kitsch
Columnist Tom Wharton of the Salt Lake Tribune expresses his fondness for the weird and wacky in roadside attractions: I love everything about driving the older parts of Route 66, especially some of the classic old motels still standing in places including Flagstaff, Ariz., and Gallup, N.M. Besides, where else can you stay these days … Continue reading Here’s to roadside kitsch
You want fries with that?
Charlotte Observer columnist Jeff Elder's "Glad You Asked" feature asks the question of where the first drive-through windows originated. Although the answer isn't definitive, the first bank drive-through was in Dallas in 1938. For restaurants, the first drive-through is claimed on Route 66: Some say Sheldon "Red" Chaney -- a man of true genius -- … Continue reading You want fries with that?