Bernalillo County announced it selected a contractor to build the nearly $10 million Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side and that construction would begin next month. The county stated in a news release Wednesday it authorized the county manager to execute and approve the construction agreement with Enterprise Builders in the amount of … Continue reading Construction set to begin soon on Route 66 Visitor Center in west Albuquerque
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.
Forrest Nelson, a longtime clerk and friendly face at Old Riverton Store, dies at 98
Forrest R. Nelson, a longtime friendly clerk at Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kansas, and the father of the store's owner, died Wednesday at a nearby hospital. He was 98. The store announced Nelson's death on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oldrivertonstore/posts/4999077243498569 Nelson was a World War II veteran in Europe and spent nearly 40 years as … Continue reading Forrest Nelson, a longtime clerk and friendly face at Old Riverton Store, dies at 98
Owner of Ann’s Chicken Fry House building wants to open a retro diner there
The owner of the recently closed Ann's Chicken Fry House building in Oklahoma City said he wants to open a retro diner at that location. The Oklahoman newspaper confirms what had been rumored with building owner Tony Maxey for several weeks since the restaurant closed: Maxey wanted to purchase Ann's and reopen it, but that … Continue reading Owner of Ann’s Chicken Fry House building wants to open a retro diner there
Revive 66 Campground is getting 10 more teardrop trailers
The Revive 66 Campground in Springfield, Missouri, recently received $60,000 from the city so it can acquire 10 more teardrop trailers to help house the homeless. The funding was part of $95,000 in city emergency funds for overnight cold-weather sheltering. The 10 additional trailers at the campground will be supplied for a 10-year period. According … Continue reading Revive 66 Campground is getting 10 more teardrop trailers
Little Beaver Creek Bridge near Rolla closed to make way for a new bridge
The historic Little Beaver Creek Bridge along old Route 66 west of Rolla, Missouri, was closed last week so a new bridge would replace it this spring. According to an article in the Phelps County Focus, Martin Springs Drive (aka Route 66) leading to the bridge was closed on Jan. 20. The new, 90-foot-long bridge … Continue reading Little Beaver Creek Bridge near Rolla closed to make way for a new bridge
New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
The preservation of a once-covered Adohr Milk Farms neon sign along Route 66 in Pasadena, California, became complicated in recent months because of a city's inexplicable decision and the tangled history of the family behind the long-defunct milk business. For those who missed the previous reporting, Howlin' Ray's hot chicken restaurant was doing a face-lift … Continue reading New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
The Lincoln County Express child-size train that spent decades rusting away amid the brush along Route 66 east of Stroud, Oklahoma, has been restored and moved next to the landmark Rock Cafe in Stroud. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin reported in a Facebook post on the Historic Route 66 page that the city … Continue reading Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
The remarkable story of Alberta’s Hotel in Springfield, Missouri
KOLR-TV in Springfield, Missouri, recently produced a segment about the amazing history of Alberta's Hotel, an establishment in that Route 66 city that catered to African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Alberta's Hotel was listed in the annual Negro Motorist Green Book travel guide. Both perished during the mid-1960s, about the time the United … Continue reading The remarkable story of Alberta’s Hotel in Springfield, Missouri
Lawmakers seek to designate Oklahoma Route 66 as U.S. Bicycle Route
An Oklahoma state legislator has introduced a bill that would designate all of Route 66 in the Sooner State as a U.S. Bicycle Route. State Rep. John Talley (R-Stillwater) listed in the Stillwater News Press a bunch of bills he has introduced for the legislative session that begins Feb. 1. This one caught my eye: … Continue reading Lawmakers seek to designate Oklahoma Route 66 as U.S. Bicycle Route
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April
The owners of Gearhead Curios along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, said on social media Thursday they plan to install neon lighting at their former gas station by April 21. The social media post included a rendering of the neon added to an existing photo of the site: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1124595541308380&id=550734662027807 Gearhead Curios said anyone who wants … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans to add neon lighting by April