Students from Drury University earlier this month completed the construction of a distinctive-looking shelter at the Revive 66 campground in Springfield, Missouri. Revive 66 is a nightly stay campground for the homeless at 3839 W. Chestnut Expressway that is open to everyone, including the homeless. According to a news release from the university: The unique … Continue reading Drury University students build a unique shelter at Revive 66 Campground in Springfield
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.
Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline
Shyam Rama, a son of the former owner of the Springfield Inn in Springfield, Missouri, has co-created a short documentary film about his childhood and his former home's sad and startlingly quick decline. A redeveloper of the Route 66 motel earlier this year announced plans to put a Whataburger restaurant and other businesses there. Rama … Continue reading Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park’s mountain coaster opens in Route 66 town of Williams
Arizona's first mountain coaster has opened at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in the classic Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona. Mountain coasters are somewhat like roller coasters, except the individual rider has the option to control his or her speed on the descent. The Williams park's coaster also contains an automatic braking system. Fox10 in … Continue reading Canyon Coaster Adventure Park’s mountain coaster opens in Route 66 town of Williams
Visitors center opens inside Shops at Mother Road Market in Tulsa
A new visitors center has opened inside Gambill’s Coffee at the Shops at Mother Road Market in Tulsa to take advantage of what's anticipated to be a record year for tourism in the city. Shops at Mother Road Market sits next to East 11th Street (aka Route 66) and the popular Mother Road Market, which … Continue reading Visitors center opens inside Shops at Mother Road Market in Tulsa
Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa opens to the public
The Bob Dylan Center, which houses a collection of the memorabilia and media the acclaimed musician collected over his 60-year career, held its ceremonial ribbon-cutting Tuesday at the site in downtown Tulsa. About 200 people attended the event. Dylan, a notoriously taciturn man, was not one of them. Tulsa People magazine published a gallery of … Continue reading Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa opens to the public
Six motels on Route 66 in Gallup closed by the city, including Blue Spruce Lodge
Six vintage motels along the Route 66 corridor of Gallup, New Mexico, were closed by the city due to numerous code violations. That includes the Blue Spruce Lodge motel with its oft-photographed neon sign. Frequent Route 66 traveler and writer Blue Miller noted the closure of about a half-dozen motels during a recent post on … Continue reading Six motels on Route 66 in Gallup closed by the city, including Blue Spruce Lodge
Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
Backland, a luxury campground and eco-lodging establishment known for tented suites, plans to open southeast of the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, in late June. According to a news release from the company: The team at Backland announced that reservations for stays from July 28, 2022, onwards, are now available. The eco-resort is anticipating opening for … Continue reading Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
The City of Joplin, Missouri, has tapped a commercial real-estate firm to help market the century-old Joplin Union Depot with the hope someone can redevelop and renovate it. The city announced the effort Wednesday. The real-estate company, Glenn Group, will work with the Downtown Joplin Alliance through its Endangered Properties Program and the Missouri Department … Continue reading City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
Route 66 soon will lose a historic bridge near Marshfield
The century-old Route CC bridge over the Niangua Branch river on Route 66 east of Marshfield, Missouri, will be closed permanently this week to make way for a new bridge. That's the word from Route 66 preservationists and a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation: The bridge replacement will require Route CC to … Continue reading Route 66 soon will lose a historic bridge near Marshfield
Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme
The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recently repainted its giant slide with an Illinois Route 66 shield. Springfield tourism director Scott Dahl recently posted a photo of the historic slide on social media: The 40-foot-tall and 130-foot-long slide was erected in 1968 and is near the fair's main gate. It was one of 40 originally designed … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme