It seems unthinkable now, but the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, was in such sorry shape that a building inspector recommended tearing it down in 1975. That and other fascinating facts about the Route 66 landmark were contained in a recent article in the Arizona Daily Sun. Brothers Henry and Lloyd Taylor bought the hotel … Continue reading Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff nearly faced demolition 50 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.
Vitale’s Hideaway near Worden featured in “Bar Rescue” TV series
Vitale's Hideaway, formerly known as Slotzy's, near Worden, Illinois, is featured on the "Bar Rescue" television reality series on the Paramount Network. Vitale's at 7708 State Route 4 sits where two prominent Route 66 alignments converge -- the original Illinois 4 alignment and the later alignment of the Mother Road. In the show, entrepreneur and … Continue reading Vitale’s Hideaway near Worden featured in “Bar Rescue” TV series
Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month
The city council of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, last week unanimously chose a contractor to build the Route 66 Park west of town so it would be ready by the highway's centennial next year. According to the Sapulpa Times, Magnum Construction's low bid of nearly $2.1 million won. The new park will include numerous points of interest … Continue reading Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month
$25,000 grant awarded to support Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit
The Missouri Humanities Council awarded a $25,000 grant to the Route 66 Association of Missouri in support of a project titled “The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” and an $8,000 grant to support programs associated with the project. “The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” celebrates the legacy of the Mother Road and its role in … Continue reading $25,000 grant awarded to support Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit
Otter Cove Diner in Miami to close at end of today
The Otter Cove Diner along Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma, announced this week it will have its last day of business today after less than four years in existence. The restaurant at 230 S. Main St. (aka Route 66) will shut down after 2:30 p.m. today "or while supplies last," it stated in a Facebook … Continue reading Otter Cove Diner in Miami to close at end of today
City of Lebanon budget proposes $25,000 for Munger Moss Motel sign maintenance
The proposed budget for the City of Lebanon, Missouri, would set aside $25,000 to maintain the iconic Munger Moss Motel sign along Route 66. Gary Sosniecki, a longtime former newspaper editor and a member of the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, flagged a one-sentence excerpt from a recent Laclede County Record report about a city … Continue reading City of Lebanon budget proposes $25,000 for Munger Moss Motel sign maintenance
Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn scheduled to hold grand reopening on Saturday
Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn near Peach Springs, Arizona, is set to hold a ribbon-cutting and grand reopening on Saturday. According to a Facebook post by the Route 66 Association of Arizona, the ribbon-cutting will be at 10 a.m., followed by presentations by the caverns' representatives. Tours to the caverns then begin at 1 p.m. … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn scheduled to hold grand reopening on Saturday
Chicago Tribune reporters will travel Route 66, want your thoughts on the highway
Over the weekend, the Chicago Tribune announced it is sending two reporters on Route 66 from west to east before the highway's centennial in 2026. In an initial story titled "One Century, One Road," Jonathan Bullington and E. Jason Wambsgans said they will depart from the West Coast and head east on the Mother Road. … Continue reading Chicago Tribune reporters will travel Route 66, want your thoughts on the highway
Book review: “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
As Route 66's centennial next year approaches, the first book that takes a retrospective look at the highway and looks ahead at its next century has entered the market. That book is the sumptuously illustrated "Route 66: The First 100 Years" (Amazon affiliate link) by the husband-and-wife team of Jim Ross and Shellee Graham, both … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
New owners take over Skyliner Motel in Stroud, plan to restore iconic neon sign
A locally based ownership group has taken possession of the historic Skyliner Motel in Stroud, Oklahoma, with plans to renovate the property and restore its iconic neon sign to its original appearance. Charles Palmer and his friend Cody Paige of Stroud-based Skyliner Investments told Route 66 News that he closed on the property along Route … Continue reading New owners take over Skyliner Motel in Stroud, plan to restore iconic neon sign