The city of Albuquerque is considering improvements to its stretch of Route 66 on the west side of town. The stretch in question is from Unser Boulevard to 98th Street along Central Avenue (aka Route 66), according to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. It's about 1.5 miles. The station explained: That strip of Central doesn't look like … Continue reading Improvements may come to Albuquerque’s west side of Route 66
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.
New marquee installed at Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
The reopening of a Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, apparently is drawing near. Workers recently installed the marquee for the historic venue, one of the last steps in the theater's restoration. According to two photographs published in the print edition of The Communicator in Santa Rosa, workers from Ram Studios Signs of … Continue reading New marquee installed at Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa
Restored Fender’s River Road Resort sign likely will shine again June 8
The organizer of a campaign to restore the historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, said the sign likely will shine again the evening of June 8. KC Keefer, who led the crowdsourcing campaign to restore the sign, made the announcement on a Facebook post Thursday: In exactly one week we … Continue reading Restored Fender’s River Road Resort sign likely will shine again June 8
Third phase completed to shore up Painted Desert Trading Post
The third phase to stabilize the remains of the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona ended Tuesday after volunteers spent six days on the site. Here's what was accomplished during the nearly week-long project: Dug out and removed shattered or deteriorating concrete stem walls;Built interior walls and frames to support the exterior walls … Continue reading Third phase completed to shore up Painted Desert Trading Post
The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will mark its 90th anniversary with a variety of activities June 7-9 during the first annual Route 66 Weekend in that city. The Mill, which opened as a restaurant along Route 66 in 1929, is beginning its third year as a museum highlighting the Mother Road and local history. The … Continue reading The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival
Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored
It must be a good year for Muffler Men along Route 66. A second will be restored in a matter of weeks, right after a souvenir shop in Tulsa erected a new one. The Muffler Man that stands high above Route 66 on the east side of Albuquerque will be restored in the next two … Continue reading Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored
Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
A tornado flattened the Budget Inn Motel along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and killed at least two people. The twister also hit a trailer park and several businesses along the U.S. 81 (aka Route 66) corridor in the city about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, The Oklahoman reported. “I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a … Continue reading Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
World-famous songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate Bob Dylan three years ago painted a series of images that included more than a half-dozen images from Route 66 as part of his "The Beaten Path" series. The number of images from the Mother Road has increased. The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, posted this image … Continue reading Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager
A reader recently tipped me off to this interview by the Village of Romeoville, Illinois, of Laura Hastert, owner and manager of the original White Fence Farm for nearly 20 years. The six-minute video provides background on the famous fried-chicken restaurant along Joliet Road (aka Route 66) near Chicago, including about Hastert herself. https://youtu.be/GAski2biV7A The … Continue reading A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager