Downtown Bloomington, Illinois, by sometime next year will have an interactive parklet that commemorates the city's ties to Route 66. City leaders dedicated and previewed the parklet that's scheduled to be finished by early summer 2022, according to a report by WMBD/WYZZ. Here's the station's video report: A parklet is a sidewalk extension, usually in parking lanes, … Continue reading Forthcoming parklet in downtown Bloomington will pay tribute to Route 66
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.
All 116 episodes of the “Route 66” TV drama from the 1960s are on YouTube
A few episodes of the famed "Route 66" television drama from the early 1960s had been posted online in dribs and drabs over the years. However, earlier this summer, The OTR Collection uploaded all 116 episodes of the drama that starred George Maharis and Martin Milner. The entire playlist is below, starting with the first … Continue reading All 116 episodes of the “Route 66” TV drama from the 1960s are on YouTube
Route 66 Historic Trail bill advances unanimously out of U.S. House committee
A bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail under the auspices of the National Park Service passed unanimously this week out of the Natural Resources Committee to the full U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), who is shepherding the bill with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), announced H.R. 3600's … Continue reading Route 66 Historic Trail bill advances unanimously out of U.S. House committee
Historic Fort Wingate in New Mexico goes up for sale for $11 million
The historic and storied Fort Wingate, a former military outpost east of Gallup, New Mexico, along the Route 66 corridor, has been placed on the market for $11 million, according to several media outlets. The New York Post, which initially broke the story, reported: The potential buyer would be getting an original trading post with … Continue reading Historic Fort Wingate in New Mexico goes up for sale for $11 million
Big mixed-use development announced north of Mother Road Market in Tulsa
Route 66 in Tulsa helped begat the Mother Road Market. The Mother Road Market helped begat the forthcoming North of Market development, a $60 million project that mixes retail, apartments, restaurants and a neighborhood gathering space. That's the essence behind the announcement and the groundbreaking Wednesday for the project at 2219 E. 11th St. (aka … Continue reading Big mixed-use development announced north of Mother Road Market in Tulsa
Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
A group of Route 66 enthusiasts gave the old owners of the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, a sendoff right before the motel closed for the winter and the new owners take over renovations and reopen it in the spring. According to a report in the Joplin Globe, about two dozen people from the … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena
The Kansas Historic Route 66 Association on Saturday unveiled along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, a replica of the Lightning McQueen character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars." Lightning is part of the Luigi's Pit Stop attraction on East Front Street (aka Route 66) in Galena, along with several other "Cars" characters. Much of … Continue reading Replica of Lightning McQueen from “Cars” unveiled along Route 66 in Galena
World’s Largest Covered Wagon marks its 20th year
The World's Largest Covered Wagon, complete with a figure of Abraham Lincoln riding it while reading a book, in Lincoln, Illinois, recently marked its 20th anniversary. The wagon is one of those attractions that seems older than it is. However, the Lincoln Courier newspaper reports it indeed was created in 2001 by Old Abe enthusiast … Continue reading World’s Largest Covered Wagon marks its 20th year
Amarillo city council approves putting Route 66 emblem on big water tower
The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday approved painting a modified Route 66 shield on a huge water tower on Southwest Sixth Avenue (aka Route 66) near South Independence Street. According to KFDA-TV in Amarillo: Assistant Planning Director Emily Koller said, neighborhood boosters Historic Sixth on Route 66 and the San Jacinto Neighborhood Association raised eighteen … Continue reading Amarillo city council approves putting Route 66 emblem on big water tower
U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) testified Wednesday before a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing about his proposed Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act. LaHood was joined by Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, who also testified in support of the bill, which is H.R. 3600. The bill, introduced in … Continue reading U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill