The Edward Richardson Building in Arcadia, Oklahoma, now known as the home of GlassBoy Studios, recently was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. An email Friday from the National Park Service stated the property at 101 Main St. in Arcadia had its listing effective Dec. 4. According to the National Register nomination form, the … Continue reading Richardson Building in Arcadia added to National Register
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.
Online bidding for Muffler Man ends tonight
For those folks on Route 66 who wish to acquire a genuine, one-of-a-kind Muffler Man, you have the opportunity for a few hours to bid on one in Maine. Joel Baker, a Muffler Man fan and creator of the "American Giants" video series, is helping sell one in Winslow, Maine. As of this writing, the … Continue reading Online bidding for Muffler Man ends tonight
Plenty of Route 66 in Big & Rich video
The country-rock duo Big & Rich released this music video for "California" more than six months ago, and it contains a few Route 66 landmarks in the footage. In it, you'll find the rest stop near Alanreed, Texas; Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo; old Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico (including the interior of the Kix … Continue reading Plenty of Route 66 in Big & Rich video
Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66
Marty Hall has spent decades working at not one, but two notable restaurants along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, that specialize in fried onion burgers. Hall has owned Sid's Diner since 1989. Before that, he began his restaurant career barely in his teens at Johnnie's Grill, also on Route 66 in El Reno. All … Continue reading Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66
Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Cherokee Nation and city officials on Tuesday dedicated a mural commemorating artisan Anna Belle Sixkiller Mitchell, known as a Cherokee National Treasure, in downtown Vinita, Oklahoma, along Route 66. Mitchell, who lived in Vinita, was designated as a Cherokee National Treasure in 1988 for reviving traditional pottery methods and sharing her skill with others, according to a news … Continue reading Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Sue Blesi, a historian, dug up the bizarre story of a man who was buried alive for a week in a pit with poisonous snakes and an alligator to draw visitors to the Silver Star Court motel and restaurant on Route 66 near St. Clair, Missouri. Blesi, who recounted the tale in the Washington Missourian … Continue reading Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Why historic preservation is important to future tourism
Joplin, Missouri, for years has sought to boost Route 66 tourism to its city. Officials there want more visitors to stay in the city for longer periods, thus generating more tax revenue. However, the Joplin Globe reported a Colorado-based consultant threw cold water on that idea -- mainly because the city doesn't have enough historic … Continue reading Why historic preservation is important to future tourism
Launching Pad’s new owners launch crowdfunding site
The new owners of the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, hadn't planned it initially, but this week they launched a crowdfunding site to help reopen the Route 66 restaurant faster. According to the CBS-TV affiliate in Chicago: New co-owner Holly Barker said the GoFundMe page launched Monday because the Wilmington community was anxious to see the … Continue reading Launching Pad’s new owners launch crowdfunding site
Johnny Hallyday, ‘the Elvis of France’ and a Route 66 fan, dies
Johnny Hallyday, long known as "the Elvis of France," died Wednesday at age 74, according to many news outlets. A cause of death wasn't reported, but he'd been diagnosed with lung cancer in March. Hallyday also was a big Route 66 fan. More on that in a moment. Hallyday, born Jean-Philippe Leo Smet in Paris, sold … Continue reading Johnny Hallyday, ‘the Elvis of France’ and a Route 66 fan, dies
Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners
The co-owners of the Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, on Tuesday said they have accepted an offer from at least two people to buy the restaurant, with the sale anticipated to close in the early spring. Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, made the announcement on the restaurant's Facebook page. They declined … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners