For a fun look into the past, take a look at this 15-minute promotional film that touted the virtues of the Route 66 town of Amarillo, Texas, and the surrounding region. The film was created between 1962 and 1964 by Southwestern Public Service Company and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. The colors of this clip … Continue reading A look at Amarillo from nearly 60 years ago
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.
Ski Lodge Roof House in Daggett will be converted back into a visitor center
The famous Ski Lodge Roof House along Route 66 in Daggett, California, will be restored and brought back to its original purpose as a visitors center. Delvin Roy Harbour posted this bit of information Sunday on Facebook: Terri Terry, secretary and editor for the Daggett Historical Society, confirmed the news in a text message and … Continue reading Ski Lodge Roof House in Daggett will be converted back into a visitor center
66 Drive-In in Carthage will be one of the venues on TobyMac, Newsboys tour
In another sign drive-in theaters are becoming an alternative for music tours during the coronavirus pandemic, Christian music artists TobyMac and Newsboys have booked shows at 16 drive-ins this summer, including at the 66 Drive-In in Carthage, Missouri. The all-ages show at the 66 Drive-In will be July 11, gates opening at 6:30 p.m., and … Continue reading 66 Drive-In in Carthage will be one of the venues on TobyMac, Newsboys tour
Tourists’ bigger commitment to road trips may help Route 66 in a COVID-19 world
Because the coronavirus has made air travel less attractive, U.S. tourists may turn more to road trips for their vacations in the coming months. The Pontiac Daily Leader, citing tourism officials in Illinois, said travelers are looking more toward driving destinations for vacations instead of far-flung spots by plane. “I think we’re going to see … Continue reading Tourists’ bigger commitment to road trips may help Route 66 in a COVID-19 world
Waynesville marks 30th year of Missouri’s Route 66 declared a historic district
Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission member Jackie Welborn (left) and former Missouri state Rep. Jim Mitchell attended Mayor Luge Hardman’s proclamation signing ceremony Thursday evening. Pulaski County Tourism Bureau was represented by Laura Huffman (right). The mayor of Waynesville, Missouri, on Thursday signed a proclamation recognizing the upcoming 30-year anniversary of Missouri’s designation of its … Continue reading Waynesville marks 30th year of Missouri’s Route 66 declared a historic district
Kingman Visitor Center lights its new but retro-looking neon sign
The Kingman Visitor Center in Kingman, Arizona, held a ceremonial lighting Wednesday evening of its new but retro-looking neon sign that stands along Route 66. A 30-minute video was broadcast on Facebook Live that evening. The countdown to the lighting begins with about four minutes left: Local resident and author Jim Hinckley posted this photo: … Continue reading Kingman Visitor Center lights its new but retro-looking neon sign
Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will conduct a survey of historic assets along Route 66, but the Tulsa Route 66 Commission wants to conduct its own survey that includes the city's older alignment near downtown. According to Public Radio Tulsa: The state is taking an inventory of structures like movie theaters, gas stations and … Continue reading Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment
Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
A story in the Tulsa World over the weekend sent me down a rabbit hole to find more about small-but-nicely-crafted replicas of the Statue of Liberty that were installed in 200 towns across America seven decades ago. The Tulsa newspaper noted the 8 1/2-foot-tall Statue of Liberty at 17th Street and South Harvard Avenue in … Continue reading Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
Discussions over the fate of Gasconade River Bridge are “at an impasse”
Talks between the Route 66 Association of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Transportation over the future of the historic Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen “and are currently at an impasse,” according to a state official's letter to the director of the State Historic Preservation Office. Gary Sosniecki obtained a copy of MoDOT's letter Monday … Continue reading Discussions over the fate of Gasconade River Bridge are “at an impasse”
Part of Fort Courage Trading Post in Arizona damaged by fire; three arrested
Three people were arrested after an arson fire over the weekend destroyed one of the structures for the closed Fort Courage Trading Post complex near Houck, Arizona. Puerco Fire and EMS posted on its Facebook page: Southern Navajo Nation News posted a video from a bystander of the fire in progress: The Apache County arrests … Continue reading Part of Fort Courage Trading Post in Arizona damaged by fire; three arrested