The city of Joplin, Missouri, has embarked on a multi-pronged project to rebrand its historic East Town neighborhood, including adding new Route 66 signs along an original alignment there. The Joplin Globe reports new "Dreams - East Town" banners have gone up on light poles along the Langston Hughes-Broadway corridor (aka Route 66), which is … Continue reading Rebranding of Joplin’s East Town includes more Route 66 signs
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.
Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri reopens
The Trail of Tears Memorial and Herbal Gardens near Jerome, Missouri, reopened Earth Day to the public after months of extensive restoration work by new owner Marie Ryberg, nearby artist Chris Richardson and other volunteers. About 75 people braved rainy weather to attend the ribbon-cutting with Waynesville Chamber of Commerce officials at the entrance. Jax … Continue reading Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri reopens
Tumbleweeds invade Route 66 town of Victorville
The Route 66 town of Victorville, California, has been beset by so many tumbleweeds rolling in, some residents found themselves trapped inside their homes by the sticky weeds. The Victorville Daily Press first reported on the unusual phenomenon last week: A mass invasion by the High Desert’s infamous rolling hazards besieged a series of home … Continue reading Tumbleweeds invade Route 66 town of Victorville
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival comes to an end
The annual World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival Birthday Party & Car Show in Collinsville, Illinois, is ending after the longtime co-organizers said they "were just done" and wanted to "move on to do other things." In a Facebook message Sunday night, co-organizer Mike Gassman posted: The Catsup Bottle Executive Committee is announcing that the annual World’s … Continue reading World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival comes to an end
Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Joliet prison
Hundreds of volunteer labor-union members descended on the historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, last weekend to help clean up the long-neglected property. The Joliet Patch estimated 200 to 300 skilled tradesmen were at the 160-year-old prison over the two days, along with volunteer labor from Homer Tree Care to remove trees and brush. … Continue reading Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Joliet prison
Route 66 sculpture created by students erected in Riverton
A steel Route 66 shield sculpture created by high-school students went up Thursday along Route 66 on the west side of Riverton, Kansas. KSNF-TV filed this story about it: The sculpture is 20 feet tall and required about two years of work from Riverton FFA students, with guidance from FFA adviser Jacob Larison. Cherokee County contributed … Continue reading Route 66 sculpture created by students erected in Riverton
Adam the Woo travels Route 66
Popular video blogger Adam the Woo and colleague Jacob the Carpetbagger recently completed a west-to-east trip on Route 66. Adam uploaded a dozen videos from his journey, totaling more than 2 1/2 hours of footage from the Mother Road. Video blogs are a dime a dozen on YouTube, but Adam logs tens of thousands of … Continue reading Adam the Woo travels Route 66
National Trust seeking roadies for Route 66 trip in July
The National Trust for Historic Preservation in July will launch a major cross-country campaign to promote and preserve Route 66, and it wants enthusiasts of the Mother Road to help. In essence, it's a way for Route 66 fans to travel the road for free. The organization said in its announcement: We’re looking for a … Continue reading National Trust seeking roadies for Route 66 trip in July
Oklahoma marks 90th anniversary of Bunion Derby
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association last weekend marked the 90th anniversary of the transcontinental Bunion Derby footrace, with several descendants of winner Andy Payne at the commemoration. The association marked the 1928 footrace that traversed Los Angeles to New York City, including a fledgling U.S. 66, by carrying a commemorative plaque during a motorized relay … Continue reading Oklahoma marks 90th anniversary of Bunion Derby
Anniversary celebration of The Mill’s reopening set for April 29
The first anniversary of the reopening of The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, into a local museum will be celebrated Sunday, April 29, with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. that day. The weekend also will feature the fifth annual Bike Blessing at 1 p.m. April 28 at the VFW/Foxhole Pub & Grub at … Continue reading Anniversary celebration of The Mill’s reopening set for April 29