A major renovation project began a few days ago at the century-old Hotel Brunswick along Route 66 in downtown Kingman, Arizona, according to several social media posts. The Bee, a media outlet in the region, posted a photo on Facebook of the renovations being done on the back of the property and stated: The project … Continue reading Renovations begin at Hotel Brunswick in Kingman
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.
More about the historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in Girard
The Virden (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce this month posted on Facebook a Spotlight Business of the Month with the Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in nearby Girard, Illinois. Snippets of information about the eatery, which is off the 1926-1932 alignment of Route 66 before the highway was moved to the east: The restaurant current is owned by Brent … Continue reading More about the historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in Girard
Lee Emmerson, writer of the Route 66-inspired song “Signs,” dies at 77
Lee Emmerson, leader of the Five Man Electrical Band who wrote a hit song, "Signs," that he said was inspired by a journey on Route 66, died in a hospital Dec. 10 of COVID-19 complications. He was 77. According to CVT News in Canada, Emmerson's wife said he was double vaccinated but had underlying conditions … Continue reading Lee Emmerson, writer of the Route 66-inspired song “Signs,” dies at 77
Real-life gang fight in San Bernardino inspired “West Side Story”
The play and film "West Side Story" is well known as the story of a fictional turf war between white and Puerto Rican street gangs in Manhattan. However, "West Side Story" was inspired by a real-life gang fight in 1955 in San Bernardino, California, about a half-mile north of Route 66. The historic Mitla Cafe … Continue reading Real-life gang fight in San Bernardino inspired “West Side Story”
Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
The Route 66 town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the surrounding area continue to be in shock and sorrow after a powerful tornado Friday caused the collapse of an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six workers. According to reporting by the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, the roof and 11-inch-thick concrete walls collapsed … Continue reading Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
Inaugural class for Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame announced
The first five inductees to the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame recently were announced by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society in mid-Missouri. The Class of 2022 are: Bob and Ramona Lehman, owners of the Munger Moss Motel in LebanonFrank and Dorothy Nelson, creator of Nelson's Dream Village and Nelson Tavern in LebanonCharles … Continue reading Inaugural class for Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame announced
Racing legend and Albuquerque native Al Unser dies at 82
Al Unser, an Albuquerque native who was one of the few to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, died Thursday at his home in Chama, New Mexico, after a 17-year battle with cancer. He was 82. Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt in June 2021 Unser was the third member of his racing family … Continue reading Racing legend and Albuquerque native Al Unser dies at 82
Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
If you want to see what likely is the king of outdoor Christmas decorating, Mike Holtz's home in Normal, Illinois, probably rules them all. Holtz's residence at 1210 W. Hovey Ave., a half-mile west of Route 66, features about 900 blow-mold Santas, gingerbread men, snowmen, reindeer and even a few aliens in his yard, on … Continue reading Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow near Barstow, California, recently dedicated a 6-foot-tall metal sculpture, signs and road stencils where the military service's eagle, globe and anchor emblem also comes with a Route 66 shield. The Stars and Stripes newspaper had the story: The symbol, made up of a highway shield superimposed over the service’s emblem, … Continue reading Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem
Sky Railway makes its first run between Santa Fe and Lamy
Railroad buffs have a new attraction to check out if they're in northern New Mexico. The Sky Railway made its debut Dec. 3 from downtown Santa Fe to Lamy with a dragon-painted locomotive. It was the first run on those 16 miles of tracks in eight years, though Amtrak makes regular stops in Lamy. A … Continue reading Sky Railway makes its first run between Santa Fe and Lamy