The group that has organized the Mother Road Marathon that traverses Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri announced Thursday the race will "cease operations" because of declining resources and profits. Tom Rogers, CEO and president of The Twelveone Group that put on the 26.2-mile footrace on Route 66 from Commerce, Oklahoma, to Joplin, Missouri, stated the race's … Continue reading Mother Road Marathon goes on hiatus, perhaps permanently
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.
Enjoy the ruins of Two Guns, Arizona, while you can
Recently, KJZZ radio featured the long-abandoned Two Guns site -- best known for its stone structure inscribed with the words "Mountain Lions" near the entrance -- for its "Untold Arizona" series. You can hear the 4 1/2-minute segment below, or so to the station's website to see pictures of Two Guns, including an image of … Continue reading Enjoy the ruins of Two Guns, Arizona, while you can
Oklahoma’s No. 2 official pledges to make Route 66 tourism a top priority
Oklahoma's lieutenant governor said the state's tourism bureau will be going "all-in" and "doubling down" on promoting Route 66 in the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also serves as chairman of the state's tourism commission, made the remarks this week during a tour of Route 66 sites in Tulsa. Public Radio Tulsa reported: … Continue reading Oklahoma’s No. 2 official pledges to make Route 66 tourism a top priority
Fender’s River Road Resort sign removed for restoration
The historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, recently was removed so it can be restored. Photographer KC Keefer, who launched a fundraising effort in early 2018 to restore the sign, sent out a news release Wednesday that stated: The plan is to completely refurbish the neon “Motel” sign at Fenders … Continue reading Fender’s River Road Resort sign removed for restoration
Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66
If you're in the western half of Route 66 and see what appears to be a orange-clad Buddhist monk walking on the side of the road, it probably because it is a Buddhist monk. The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff caught up with Sutham Nateetong when he was in town last week. The Thai Buddhist … Continue reading Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66
Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests
The Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, reopened Monday to seven overnight guests. Another seven rooms will be open in a few days, and its saloon will open later this month. It had been more than 50 years since the Castaneda operated as a hotel. It also appears the century-old former Harvey House is … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests
Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial
Route 66 Crossroads, a new nonprofit organization based in Kingman, Arizona, will focus on the highway's 2026 centennial among its goals to boost tourism and economic opportunities for communities along the Mother Road. Route 66 Crossroads, a federally recognized nonprofit that formed March 1, stated in a news release last week: The organization will be … Continue reading Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial
Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau stated last week it likely would sell a 1920s-era garage it once considered renovating into a Route 66 visitors center. The city in 2014 purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (aka Route 66) and several adjoining lots for $18,500. The city spent nearly $5,000 more to repair the structure's … Continue reading Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
Tulsa to begin taking neon-sign applications Monday
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission on Monday will begin taking applications to restore old neon signs or create new ones along the city's stretch of the Mother Road. According to Public Radio Tulsa: The grants will provide dollar-for-dollar matches up to $10,000 for half the cost of new or refurbished neon signs along both alignments … Continue reading Tulsa to begin taking neon-sign applications Monday
Southwest Museum in Los Angeles put up for sale
The historic Southwest Museum in Los Angeles officially was put up for sale by the Autry Museum of the American West 16 years after its merger. According to LAist, the Autry spent about $20 million on renovations and upkeep since acquiring the property in 2003. "The future has arrived," Autry president and CEO W. Richard … Continue reading Southwest Museum in Los Angeles put up for sale