Here's a column by David Allen of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin about the Magic Lamp Inn steakhouse along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., including plenty of details about its history. Here are some good pictures of the Magic Lamp's big neon sign and striking architecture. Here's a nighttime view of the Magic Lamp's … Continue reading The magic of the Magic Lamp Inn
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.
Town wants to give Route 66 corridor a retro look
I found this story about Moriarty, N.M., from the Mountain View Telegraph. I'll excerpt it in part: Moriarty's main street could get a facelift— complete with neon lights and retro storefronts hearkening back to the heyday of Route 66— if one city councilor's suggestion takes root. Councilor Steve Anaya asked the council at its Nov. … Continue reading Town wants to give Route 66 corridor a retro look
This is bizarre
OK, try to follow me here. Hurra Torpedo is a Swedish band that wears matching sweatsuits, uses kitchen appliances for its music (reminding me of noise-rock band Einstürzende Neubauten) and is famous for a wacky cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (I didn't even like the original all that much). Ford makes … Continue reading This is bizarre
Fat Man meets the Pain Walker
Yeah, the title sounds like one of those superhero battles from Marvel Comics in the 1960s and '70s. Actually, Dennis Kinch, who is walking west on Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, met in Vinita, Okla., with Steve Vaught, who is walking east on Route 66 in an effort to lose weight. Vaught and … Continue reading Fat Man meets the Pain Walker
Open-source travel guide
Some folks are beta-testing an online travel guide called World 66. If nothing else, the name proves that Route 66 has some cachet. It's an open-sourced site in which users are the contributors of the content, like Wilkipedia. It's a long, long way from being as comprehensive as Wilkipedia, though. Tulsa, a pretty good-sized town, … Continue reading Open-source travel guide
Illinois town receives grant for Route 66 bike trail
The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader reports that the town of Chenoa is receiving $300,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Chenoa Route 66 Prairie Trail. This is part of a bicycle trail that eventually will be set up along the length of Route 66 in Illinois, as previously reported here.
Glimpses back in time
Darned if I can find many Route 66 references. But nostalgia is a significant part of the Route 66 experience, and the Ephemera Now Web site contains it in spades. In fact, it's the best nostalgia Web site I've seen. It describes itself as "the museum and gift shop of mid-century advertising art and illustration." … Continue reading Glimpses back in time
Fat Man blows into town
Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com strolled into Vinita, Okla., Sunday night after dealing with severe winds all day. At least he didn't have to deal with the tornadoes or wildfires, although a 40-foot-tall sign at the hotel where he was staying blew down (the pictures are at the bottom of this page). You can read his … Continue reading Fat Man blows into town
BBC correspondent looks for old motels
Joe Queenan drove from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, most of it on Route 66, seeking vintage motels. He tells about it on this 30-minute audio link from the BBC. He paid particular attention to wigwam-type motels, which no doubt include the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. Hat tip to Ken Chambers of Surrey, England, for … Continue reading BBC correspondent looks for old motels
Oklahoma winery on Route 66 wins awards
A blog, Oklahoma Wine News, reports that Summerside Vineyards and Winery on old Route 66 in Vinita, Okla., won a silver medal for its Pensacola Dam Red wine and a bronze medal for its Route 66 Red wine at the recent Wines of the South Competition. While surfing on Summerside's site, I also found a … Continue reading Oklahoma winery on Route 66 wins awards