The landmark El Rancho Motel sign in Barstow, California, will be spared despite the imminent demolition of the motel itself after a massive fire earlier this year. California Route 66 booster Beth Murray stated in late October in posts to the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook that the massive sign will remain, and she … Continue reading Demolition will spare El Rancho Motel’s big sign in Barstow
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.
Cycle 66 event in Edmond draws more than 800 riders
The second annual Cycle 66 event on Sunday in Edmond, Oklahoma, saw a sizable jump in participation. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, told News on 6 that the number of cyclists rose from 500 during Cycle 66's inaugural event to more than 800 this year. Cycle 66 offered three planned … Continue reading Cycle 66 event in Edmond draws more than 800 riders
Munger Moss Motel owner Ramona Lehman receives Lebanon Community Achievement Award
Ramona Lehman, owner of the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, for more than 50 years, last week received the Lebanon Community Achievement Award. Lehman earned the honor, which essentially exists as a lifetime achievement award in the city, during the 21st annual Wall of Honor Banquet in Lebanon's Cowan Civic Center. A plaque honoring … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel owner Ramona Lehman receives Lebanon Community Achievement Award
Report: National Route 66 Center proposed at University of New Mexico
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is working with the Research Route 66 Consortium and theUniversity of New Mexico to explore the feasibility of establishing a Route 66 National Center there. That intriguing item was tucked into the partnership's third-quarter report. Audra Bellmore, a member of the consortium, is the lead person on the initiative, … Continue reading Report: National Route 66 Center proposed at University of New Mexico
Texas version of American Truck Simulator videogame includes sections of Route 66
The developers of the Texas DLC of American Truck Simulator videogame will include old Route 66 in Texas and a small part of eastern New Mexico in a forthcoming update. SCS Software reports the game will include the 15 miles of gravel-road Route 66 from San Jon to Glenrio in New Mexico. In the Lone … Continue reading Texas version of American Truck Simulator videogame includes sections of Route 66
The man behind the Big Cross in Groom, Texas
The nearly 200-foot-tall cross that stands between Route 66 and Interstate 40 in Groom, Texas, is the vision of one man. According to a recent article by the Boston Globe, that man is Steve Thomas, who recently retired and sold the oil and gas business he operated for about 35 years. He now spends most … Continue reading The man behind the Big Cross in Groom, Texas
Hundreds attend ‘lights-on’ event for Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa
A throng of hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- flocked to downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to see the ceremonial "lights on" event for the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute. The chute, which essentially is 10 themed canopies heavily decorated along a closed three-block stretch of Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66), will sparkle daily through Jan. 1. The … Continue reading Hundreds attend ‘lights-on’ event for Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa
Scenes from the TeePee Drive-In’s first screening in more than 20 years
Some photos from the TeePee Drive-In theater's screening of Halloween-related films were posted on social media. The movies at the venue in west Sapulpa, Oklahoma, were the first movies shown there in more than 20 years. You not only get to see the new neon sign at the theater, but the vintage travel trailers that … Continue reading Scenes from the TeePee Drive-In’s first screening in more than 20 years
Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation on Wednesday held a groundbreaking ceremony on a two-year, $35 million project to widen the historic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport but preserve the span's distinctive pony trusses. ODOT sent out this tweet from the scene: Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell & Oklahoma History Center Director Trait Thompson joined Secretary of Transportation … Continue reading Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport
“Almost Ghosts” documentary now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video
"Almost Ghosts," the 2019 documentary that focuses on three prominent individuals on Route 66, recently became available for streaming or download from Amazon Prime Video. At last check, the film is available for as low as 99 cents here (Amazon link). Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/4kGovH88F7o Ana Ramón Rubio's film has this summary … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video