A few days ago, the Associated Press published a story about the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program expiring in 2019 and its possible effect on Route 66 businesses and towns. You can read the story straight from the source here. The good news is the story was distributed to thousands of newspapers, television stations, radio … Continue reading Thoughts about the Associated Press story on Route 66
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.
Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
The Elbow Inn restaurant and bar in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, will partly reopen Friday for the Memorial Day weekend, less than a month after it was heavily damaged by a record flood from the Big Piney River. A phone call Thursday confirmed the Route 66 landmark will open its outdoor, covered Biergarten at 11 a.m. Friday, … Continue reading Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month
The long-awaited redevelopment project for the closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque begins in June, setting up the Route 66 property's reopening as an extended-stay hotel sometime in summer 2018. Construct Southwest, chosen by the city to redevelop the neglected but historic property, will begin to raze three buildings down on the property in June, … Continue reading Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month
The highs and lows of Williams, Arizona
Williams, Arizona, burgeons with tourists and few storefront vacancies along its downtown Route 66 corridor these days. Yet it also battles with long-term problems. The Arizona Daily Sun newspaper in nearby Flagstaff published a report on the renaissance of Williams and the challenges the Route 66 town still faces. You can read the whole thing … Continue reading The highs and lows of Williams, Arizona
Songs for “Cars 3” soundtrack announced
Disney-Pixar recently announced the songs and artists that will be on the eight-song "Cars 3" movie soundtrack. The songs include originals by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and blues rocker ZZ Ward, four covers of classic songs and two instrumentals by country-music star Brad Paisley. Here's the track listing: "Run That Race" by Dan Auerbach "Ride" … Continue reading Songs for “Cars 3” soundtrack announced
Professors honored for preserving vintage neon-sign drawings
Two professors from the University of New Mexico were given a state preservation award for saving hundreds of old drawings from the state's oldest neon-sign company. Many of them mock-ups of signs eventually were installed on Route 66. The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division honored Ellen Babcock and Mark Childs in the Heritage Publication division … Continue reading Professors honored for preserving vintage neon-sign drawings
The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
The historic neon sign for the now-gone The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, may return to a parking lot at a McDonald's along Route 66 by spring 2018. That scenario became more likely after the city approved an easement with Franchise Realty Investment Trust on behalf of the McDonald’s to install the sign at the lot … Continue reading The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
Book review: “The Route 66 Adventure Handbook” (fifth edition)
Bigger and better. That's the takeaway from Drew Knowles' fifth edition of his "Route 66 Adventure Handbook." Knowles keeps adding new things to new editions of his book, which comes out every five years or so. Knowles' first "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" in 2001 contained 240 pages. Subsequent editions swelled to 272, 384 and 431 … Continue reading Book review: “The Route 66 Adventure Handbook” (fifth edition)
Sleep overnight in a caboose on Route 66
Are you a railroad buff who'd love to travel Route 66? A KOA campground in Eureka, Missouri, has just the thing for you -- a railroad caboose that recently was renovated for use for overnight travelers. KSDK-TV in St. Louis produced a story about the tricked-out caboose offered by the St. Louis West / Historic 66 … Continue reading Sleep overnight in a caboose on Route 66
University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project
Missouri State University received a grant to help gather oral histories for "The Women on the Mother Road in Missouri” project. According to a news release from the university, the $2,500 grant will be used in conjunction with a similar project: Anne Baker, interim head of special collections and archives at MSU, will work with … Continue reading University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project