The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on Tuesday -- the 94th anniversary of Route 66 -- announcing several changes it hopes will benefit travelers and boost provide tourism and economic development benefits to attractions and communities along Illinois' portion of Route 66. The new look of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway website The byway's … Continue reading Illinois Scenic Byway unveils revamped website, mobile app, membership program
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.
Barb Adkins, manager of Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, dies at 61
Barb Adkins, a former deputy city manager and civil rights crusader who managed the Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 visitors center in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, after her retirement, died Saturday. She was 61. Adkins was there when the visitors center opened in 2015 and had 300 visitors in its first three hours: "We're very pleased," … Continue reading Barb Adkins, manager of Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, dies at 61
Time-lapse video shows Adams Street Bridge being dismantled over Kennedy Expressway in Chicago
Chicagoland Route 66 expert David Clark sent me this fascinating time-lapse video of workers demolishing the Adams Street Bridge over the Kennedy Expressway, bit by bit, to make way for the Jane Byrne Interchange. https://youtu.be/K_JajKITzOQ The entire demolition operation was completed in less than a month. The video makes it appear traffic was going under … Continue reading Time-lapse video shows Adams Street Bridge being dismantled over Kennedy Expressway in Chicago
Restoration completed on Red Cedar Inn’s neon sign near Pacific, Missouri
The Route 66 Association of Missouri's restoration of the neon sign at the closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, culminated with a ceremonial relighting Sunday night at the site. Below is a video from the event. Ginger Gallagher, who once ran the property, throws the switch shortly after the 9-minute mark: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1063540707428029 The … Continue reading Restoration completed on Red Cedar Inn’s neon sign near Pacific, Missouri
Volunteer crew does repairs, cleanup on Shamrock Court in Sullivan
A group of volunteers mostly from the Route Association of Missouri over the weekend made vital repairs and did cleanup at the long-closed Shamrock Court motel near Sullivan, Missouri. Most of the repairs were to the collapsed subflooring in the office area. The work seeks to make the property more attractive to potential buyers. The … Continue reading Volunteer crew does repairs, cleanup on Shamrock Court in Sullivan
Downtowner Motor Inn in Albuquerque added to National Register
The Downtowner Motor Inn along the Route 66 corridor in Albuquerque has been designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The motel at 717 Central Ave. NW (aka Route 66) received the designation effective Nov. 4, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. According to the nomination form, the Downtowner was … Continue reading Downtowner Motor Inn in Albuquerque added to National Register
Adam the Woo travels Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle
Noted video blogger Adam the Woo and a companion recently completed a journey down Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle. It's a leisurely road trip, sprinkled with Adam's gentle tomfoolery. https://youtu.be/5Kvm09skVVM Adam, who seeks out unusual roadside attractions and television and movie locations, has more than 500,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. He's uploaded hundreds … Continue reading Adam the Woo travels Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle
RoadTripOK crew posts finale of its 52-week video series
The RoadTripOK crew this week posted its final video from a yearlong weekly series of attractions in Oklahoma, including several along Route 66. Two of the destinations are in the Route 66 town of Oklahoma City: the Oklahoma State Capitol Tourism Information Center, which has many Oklahoma travel souvenirs and free travel brochures and maps, … Continue reading RoadTripOK crew posts finale of its 52-week video series
“Cars: The Series” on Disney+ streaming service looks increasingly likely
Though Disney hasn't announced it officially, it looks increasingly probable "Cars: The Series" will be broadcast on its Disney+ streaming service sometime next year. Inside the Magic, a Disney fan website, flagged a new entry in the IMDB.com website that stated Corbin Bleu has been tapped to star in the series: According to Bleu’s IMDB page, he … Continue reading “Cars: The Series” on Disney+ streaming service looks increasingly likely
Sapulpa will get a 26-foot Christmas tree in downtown
A community Christmas tree is seen in Baker City, Oregon. A similar tree is planned in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Two community groups in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, are partnering to bring a 26-foot-tall Christmas tree that will be placed at the Creek County Courthouse along Route 66. The tree replaces an unofficial community Christmas tree that stood … Continue reading Sapulpa will get a 26-foot Christmas tree in downtown