Route 66 Bowl, a facility which had served bowling fans for about a half-century near the Missouri-Kansas border, recently was purchased and is being converted into a wrestling training center and gym. KSN-TV reported Dave O'Banion, owner of Renegade Wrestling Academy in Joplin, Missouri, recently bought the facility, which also was known as Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 Bowl near Joplin being converted into training center
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.
El Vado Motel’s lobby soon will open as beer taproom
The lobby of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will open in early November as a taproom for local beers from Ponderosa Brewing Co. Redevelopment of the Route 66 landmark into a boutique motel is continuing, but Chad Rennaker of Palindrome Communities Development told the Albuquerque Journal that El Vado Taproom will open in a … Continue reading El Vado Motel’s lobby soon will open as beer taproom
Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”
Traveling Route 66 has ended up on many people's so-called "bucket list," or "things you ought to do before you kick the bucket." Prolific author Jim Hinckley created a bucket list for Route 66 itself in his newest book, "100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die" (160 pages, soft cover, photos, Reedy … Continue reading Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”
Restaurant inspired by Roy’s of Amboy opens in Barstow
Roy's Cafe, which features a neon sign inspired by another sign at the historic Roy's of Amboy, California, recently opened on Route 66 in Barstow, California. Here's the sign for the original Roy's, for comparison's sake: Carlos Aceves, Amboy town manager, wrote to the Route 66 yahoogroup Saturday: Roy's Cafe is now open in Barstow … Continue reading Restaurant inspired by Roy’s of Amboy opens in Barstow
You may help land a grant to rehab the Formosa Cafe
With the help of Route 66 enthusiasts, the historic Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California, could be rehabilitated for the enjoyment of future Mother Road travelers and Hollywood stars. American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America have teamed to launch the Vote Your Main Street campaign, in which 10 of … Continue reading You may help land a grant to rehab the Formosa Cafe
Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold
Over half of the 100 limestone balusters salvaged from the now-demolished Highway 96 (aka Route 66) bridge in Carthage, Missouri, were sold for $250 apiece. Dozens of the balusters were purchased within 30 minutes -- mostly by locals -- when they went on sale Friday as a fundraiser for Vision Carthage, a nonprofit dedicated to city … Continue reading Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold
City of Pacific agrees to buy Red Cedar Inn
The city of Pacific, Missouri, agreed earlier this month to buy the historic but long-closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant along Route 66 for an undisclosed price. The real-estate deal will close Friday, reported the Washington Missourian newspaper. In discussion, City Administrator Steve Roth noted that the seller has agreed to some changes aldermen wanted. [...] … Continue reading City of Pacific agrees to buy Red Cedar Inn
Fire damages Paradise Motel in Tucumcari
Fire heavily damaged the main office building and one room Friday afternoon at the long-closed Paradise Motel on the western edge of Tucumcari, New Mexico. The fire didn't damage the motel's distinctive neon sign, its garage or much of the rest of the complex. But the blaze doesn't portend well for the motel's already-grim future. … Continue reading Fire damages Paradise Motel in Tucumcari
Tucumcari Motel sign emerges from the ashes
The last time most people saw the old Tucumcari Motel sign near downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, the long-closed business was destroyed by a suspected arson fire about three years ago. Because it stood about 20 feet from the building, the fire left the neon sign for the motel unscathed. Locals hauled away the sign a few … Continue reading Tucumcari Motel sign emerges from the ashes
A running holiday on Route 66
Salomon TV recently uploaded this well-produced video of ultra-marathon runner Max King taking what he described as a "running holiday" on Route 66 in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Salomon TV describes itself as providing "the best outdoor content, directly to you. Get inspired and see the stories of our athletes and friends around the world. … Continue reading A running holiday on Route 66