David Clark, for decades the premier expert on Route 66 in Chicagoland known as the Windy City Road Warrior, died Tuesday, according to his stepson. Clark was scheduled Thursday night to lead a Zoom videoconference, "Myths on 66: Misinformation on the Mother Road." On Friday afternoon, Charles Aldarondo stated in a Facebook post that Clark, … Continue reading David Clark, a foremost expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, dies
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.
Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale
The Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, has been placed on the market, along with its 25-foot-tall Muffler Man statue the owner commissioned the venture. KY3 in Springfield reports that owner Kirk Wheeler, who opened the food-truck park nearly two years ago, is wanting to retire, so he's selling that and his Mother … Continue reading Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale
Route 66 Experience may become part of a $35 million hotel project in Tulsa
The long-planned Route 66 Experience interactive museum by the nonprofit Route 66 Alliance appears to have new life as part of a proposed $35 million hotel complex on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. KTUL-TV in Tulsa reported the developers hope to break ground on the project later this year. It's described as … Continue reading Route 66 Experience may become part of a $35 million hotel project in Tulsa
Lamplighter Inn motel in Santa Fe will be converted into affordable housing
The Lamplighter Inn motel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. later this month will be converted into affordable housing, including one-quarter for the homeless. The motel sits at 2405 Cerrillos Road (aka old Route 66) and has operated there since 1962. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported: Earlier in the year, Lamplighter Inn owners Parul and … Continue reading Lamplighter Inn motel in Santa Fe will be converted into affordable housing
Commercial Club building in downtown Los Angeles designated to National Register
The nearly century-old Commercial Club tower, now the site of a boutique hotel, in downtown Los Angeles was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service, which oversees the register, made the announcement through its weekly email Monday. The building at 1100 S. Broadway sits just a few blocks from the … Continue reading Commercial Club building in downtown Los Angeles designated to National Register
Programming note
This typically is a slow time of year for news along Route 66, so I've used the downtime during the holidays to update the main pages here on this website. You'll find recently updated pages for Attractions, Restaurants, Motels, Events, Campgrounds and Bars. The bulk of the work is mostly done but, as usual, it's … Continue reading Programming note
Curator of San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe wants it designated a World Heritage Site
The curator of the San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, wants the centuries-old church declared a World Heritage Site, and she making efforts to raise its profile. The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper this week published a profile on the chapel, which is the oldest church in the United States, and its curator, … Continue reading Curator of San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe wants it designated a World Heritage Site
Illinois State Museum seeking Route 66 items to bolster its collection
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield put out a call this week for historic items relating to Route 66 in the Land of Lincoln so it can be ready for the highway's centennial in 2026. It already has landed a bunch of memorabilia from late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The museum launched the collecting … Continue reading Illinois State Museum seeking Route 66 items to bolster its collection
Artist shows how he brings dead neon signs to life with ‘augmented restoration’
A television station in Las Vegas shows how an artist with the Neon Museum has brought old neon signs seemingly to life, using what he calls "augmented restoration." The technology holds huge implications for the scores of inoperative neon signs along Route 66. Here's the report from KTNV: https://youtu.be/OX-9GL5y0qg The report explains how reviving old … Continue reading Artist shows how he brings dead neon signs to life with ‘augmented restoration’
Tulsa Route 66 group offering facade grants for businesses
The Tulsa Route 66 Main Street organization is offering grants of up to $1,000 for businesses for facade upgrades. According to KJRH-TV in Tulsa, just two of the grants are left, and the deadline to apply is Dec. 31. “It could be replacement of windows. It could be planter boxes," Christine Hamner, Route 66 Main … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 group offering facade grants for businesses