An apparent arsonist early Sunday set fire to one of the classic cars that make up the landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side. KAMR-TV in Amarillo reported the first fire call came in at 2:12 a.m. The fire was extinguished, and no arrests have been made. The administrator at the Cadillac Ranch page on … Continue reading Arsonist torches one of the cars at Cadillac Ranch
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.
Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
The years-long restoration of the Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, culminated with its gala reopening Saturday. Visit Santa Rosa New Mexico posted the relighting of the marquee and other images from Saturday night: As you can see from this performance, the revitalized Pecos is being used as a performance venue as well … Continue reading Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
Fuel 66 food-truck park’s last day is today
Fuel 66, a food-truck park that set up along Route 66 in Tulsa about three years ago, will close at the end of today because an owner wants to move on to other opportunities. Robert Carnoske, co-owner of Fuel 66 and owner of the MASA food truck, told the Tulsa World: “I would just like … Continue reading Fuel 66 food-truck park’s last day is today
Elbow Inn operators lose lease; owners will restore look to 1950s
Some good news and bad news emerged this week about the Elbow Inn in Devil's Elbow, Missouri. First, the bad news. The operators of the barbecue restaurant and tavern since 2006 stated in a Facebook post Thursday the owners gave them notice they "would like to take the place in a different direction" and that … Continue reading Elbow Inn operators lose lease; owners will restore look to 1950s
First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program
The Billy Ray's BBQ and Catfish neon sign glowed again for the first time in years Wednesday evening after city officials threw the switch. The restaurant's sign was the first to complete the city's neon-sign grant program. Here's a video from the scene by KTUL-TV: According to Public Radio Tulsa, the Billy Ray's sign had … Continue reading First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program
Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building
The Development Review Committee of the city of Monrovia, California, last week approved a proposal to reuse the former Monrovia Market building as a Route 66 automotive museum and special event center. Artist's rendering of adapted Monrovia Market building. The proposal advances to the city's Planning Commission on Sept. 11. The building is at 525 … Continue reading Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building
“Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
Candacy Taylor, author of a forthcoming book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published from the 1930s to the '60s, will be the keynote speaker during the fifth annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 17-20. Taylor soon will publish "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and theRoots of Black Travel … Continue reading “Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla
The Phelps County Focus newspaper recently published a nice profile of the owners of the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri. The Totem Pole proclaims itself the longest-running Route 66 business in Missouri. It dates to 1933, when the business was further east, closer to the ghost town of Arlington, Missouri, although one of … Continue reading A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla
Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Here's a little side trip from Route 66 in southwest Missouri that's probably worth taking: a barn that's been converted into a shop for new and used vinyl records. The place is called Vintage Vinyl Purveyor, on the northeast side of Joplin. It's also close to the fellow Route 66 towns of Carterville and Carthage. … Continue reading Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator
The landmark Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, reopened Saturday after being closed following the death of its creator, Elmer Long, in July. Delvin Harbour, a longtime Route 66 enthusiast in California, posted this on Facebook on Saturday: Long, 72, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. The Bottle … Continue reading Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator