The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
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.
Steak ‘n Shakes in Springfield, Missouri, survive the latest corporate purge
The Steak 'n Shake restaurants in Springfield, Missouri -- including a very historic one on Route 66 -- seem to be surviving the latest round of closures by the corporation this week. The Springfield News-Leader reports Biglari Holdings Inc. announced it would close 57 Steak 'n Shakes after it lost more than $138 million in … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shakes in Springfield, Missouri, survive the latest corporate purge
Boots Court in Carthage officially put up for sale
The historic Boots Court motel along Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, officially was put up for sale Wednesday with an asking price of $210,000. The Route 66 landmark at 107 S. Garrison Ave. is listed by The Hunter Team of nearby Joplin. UPDATE 6/2/2020: The link expired; the new link is here. The description: Boots … Continue reading Boots Court in Carthage officially put up for sale
Tulsa gives on up on trying to save Brookshire Motel, will try to save sign instead
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission has given up trying to save the closed Brookshire Motel after a fire scorched it for the third time in 15 months. It instead will focus on trying to buy and preserve its neon sign. A man's body was found on the property after the latest fire last week. According … Continue reading Tulsa gives on up on trying to save Brookshire Motel, will try to save sign instead
Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction
The closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, was facing a spring deadline to find a new owner for the historic span or the Missouri Department of Transportation would advertise for bids to tear it down. That deadline is off the table, according to Joe Sonderman of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. He wrote … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction
Jack Rabbit Trading Post has an emotional reopening after being closed 46 days
A number of Route 66 businesses have announced current or imminent reopenings after being shut down for weeks during the coronavirus pandemic. But this one, by the Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, is special. Check out this live video from Monday morning by co-owner Cindy Jaquez. Keep tissues handy: It had to … Continue reading Jack Rabbit Trading Post has an emotional reopening after being closed 46 days
The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader newspaper in Missouri has a regular feature that serves as an Answer Man column, where Steve Pokin tries to dig into and solve local mysteries -- some serious and some not-so-serious. Pokin was on vacation, so staff writer Wyatt Wheeler took over during the interim. Wheeler received this question in his email: … Continue reading The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
New Route Historical 66 Village neon sign lights the sky in Tulsa
The Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa lighted its new neon sign a few days ago -- one of at least a dozen new or restored neon signs along the historic highway in that city. Tulsa-area resident Susan Yates shared this short video and another clip of the animated sign on Facebook. Here's a … Continue reading New Route Historical 66 Village neon sign lights the sky in Tulsa
Neon restorer, New Mexico Route 66 Association board member dies of COVID-19
Johnny Plath working on the motor of the rotosphere for El Comedor in Moriarty Johnny Plath, 68, a board member with the New Mexico Route 66 Association and a restorer of several historic neon signs along the route, died Friday after contracting the coronavirus. According to a news release Saturday from the association, Plath contracted … Continue reading Neon restorer, New Mexico Route 66 Association board member dies of COVID-19
Kingman Visitors Center will have lighting ceremony for its new sign on May 20
The Kingman Visitors Center in the Powerhouse Museum in Kingman, Arizona, will hold a lighting ceremony for its new neon sign on the evening of May 20. The ceremony will take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on Facebook. The sign at 120 W. Andy Devine Ave. (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Kingman Visitors Center will have lighting ceremony for its new sign on May 20