Big cat mauls Keepers of the Wild owner

An unspecified "large cat" seriously injured the owner of the Keepers of the Wild exotic-animal sanctuary along Route 66 north of Kingman, Arizona. The Lake Havasu News-Herald reports the founder of the sanctuary, Jonathan Kraft, was flown to a Las Vegas hospital for emergency treatment after he was attacked by one of those animals. According … Continue reading Big cat mauls Keepers of the Wild owner

Parks in the Pines General Store in Arizona put up for sale

The owner of the Parks in the Pines General Store in Parks, Arizona, citing the need to move to a lower elevation, has put the historic Route 66 business up for sale for $349,000. The store was placed on the BizBuySell.com site via da Vinci Realty. Here's part of the description: Located just west of … Continue reading Parks in the Pines General Store in Arizona put up for sale

Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday

Citing a "decline in physical attendance," the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri, announced Tuesday it will close its doors permanently Friday. The Facebook page for the museum put out this message Tuesday: The post does not elaborate on what will happen to the extensive vacuum collection. The museum at 3 Industrial Drive in … Continue reading Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday

Lurvey Courts in Springfield may be demolished soon

The long-closed Lurvey Courts motel in Springfield, Missouri, likely will face the wrecking ball in a few weeks unless something drastic happens, and soon. KOLR-TV posted a story Monday, reporting the Route 66 property will be demolished by the end of April or May. I suspect the station was tipped off by a Facebook post … Continue reading Lurvey Courts in Springfield may be demolished soon

Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3

The grand reopening of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, is set for the weekend of May 3, coinciding with the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival. The gala begins May 3 with the Route 66 restaurant's first cruise night by the Rusty Nutz Car Club. The Red Carpet Festival begins that … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In’s grand reopening weekend set for May 3

Route 66 Soda adds to 300 flavors offered at Fanning 66 Outpost

I knew Ryan Thompson had purchased the Fanning 66 Outpost near Cuba, Missouri, a little less than two years ago, and he was busy making dozens of types of flavored popcorn for visitors. What I didn't know was Fanning 66 Outpost has become a miniature version of Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma. It offers more than … Continue reading Route 66 Soda adds to 300 flavors offered at Fanning 66 Outpost

Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

The vice mayor of Kingman, Arizona, recently announced he is donating his salary for Jim Hinckley's promotional and marketing efforts of Route 66 in the region. Hinckley stated in an email the donation is worth $7,200 a year, and Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter will continue those contributions until he leaves office. "I am honored, humbled, … Continue reading Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale

A ranch off Route 66 in Victorville, California, owned by western star Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, recently was put on the market for $3.7 million. The Double R Bar Ranch property at 14433 Roy Rogers Ranch Road, first flagged in a story by the Los Angeles Times, is being brokered by Murray … Continue reading Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale

473 Bar in old Phillips 66 gas station to hold grand opening Saturday

The 473 Bar, in a repurposed 1929 Phillips 66 gas station in Tulsa, will host its grand opening Saturday with lawn games, music, food trucks and its ever-present locally based beverages. The bar, also known as Four. Seven. Three., at 2224 E. Admiral Blvd., takes its name from the fact it was built as Phillips … Continue reading 473 Bar in old Phillips 66 gas station to hold grand opening Saturday

Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday

The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, will mark its 90th anniversary Thursday with a screening of "The Wizard of Oz" and other festivities that night. The theater asked the public on Facebook which film it would most like to see, and "Gone With the Wind" was the winner. However, management nixed it because of its … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday