Plenty of photographers have documented old motels along Route 66 in the past 20 years. However, a new exhibit, "Route 66 Motels" at the Joseph Bellows Gallery in La Jolla, California, shows images more than 40 years old. The images predate even Quinta Scott's valuable "Along Route 66" images from the late 1970s through the 1980s. … Continue reading Route 66 motel photos from 1970s shown by California gallery
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.
Desert Sands Motel in Albuquerque torn down
The closed Desert Sands Motel of Albuquerque, perhaps best known for being used in a scene in the Oscar-winning movie "No County for Old Men," was torn down last month after three fires since May. The Albuquerque Journal reported the Route 66 motel was razed in early December. Construction equipment reappeared on the site last week, … Continue reading Desert Sands Motel in Albuquerque torn down
Restaurant opens at site of long-forgotten miniature golf course
The owners of the Puttin'-A-Round in Miami, Oklahoma, hadn't planned to put a restaurant there, but as they began to tear down the former doors-and-windows store, they changed their plans for a mini-storage business. Larry and Sue Smith of nearby Picher, Oklahoma, told the Miami News Record they bought the property at 725 N. Main … Continue reading Restaurant opens at site of long-forgotten miniature golf course
New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
The Missouri Department of Transportation this week approved a contract to replace two Missouri 96 (aka Route 66) bridges on the northeast side of Carthage. The road will reopen no later than Sept. 15, but the $6.2 million contract with Clarkson Construction Co. in Kansas City contains incentives if it finishes the job quicker. Given that, it's not … Continue reading New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
Fate of Gasconade River Bridge dominates county meeting
What to do about the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, "dominated" discussion during a recent meeting of the Laclede County board of commissioners, according to a local newspaper. The Lebanon Daily Record (subscription required) reported the talk about the bridge took place during a budget hearing last week. Lebanon City Council member and Route … Continue reading Fate of Gasconade River Bridge dominates county meeting
What should be done about Oatman’s burros?
Easy, now. No one is suggesting getting rid of all the semi-wild burros that roam the Route 66 village of Oatman, Arizona -- especially Oatman businesses, which see the animals as a big reason it's become a tourist attraction. The burros are descendants of burros used in the area gold mines a century ago. When the mines … Continue reading What should be done about Oatman’s burros?
Illinois Route 66 motorcycle license plate goes on sale
The state of Illinois now is selling a Route 66 license plate made specially for motorcycles. Revenues from the new plate go to the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byways fund, which helps preserve and promote the old road in the Land of Lincoln. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation for the plate during an August ceremony … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 motorcycle license plate goes on sale
Fire-damaged Parkview Pub in Bloomington may reopen by summer
Parkview Food & Pub, better known as the Parkview Inn, in Bloomington, Illinois, may reopen by summer after a fire in October virtually destroyed the historic establishment. Owner Rich McCormick told the Bloomington Panatagraph he's taking the opportunity with the rebuilding process to make some changes so its customers will face Miller Park across the … Continue reading Fire-damaged Parkview Pub in Bloomington may reopen by summer
Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit
Officials with Catoosa, Oklahoma, will meet with Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials later this month over a proposal to close a Route 66 exit from westbound Interstate 44. However, ODOT officials, according to The Daily Progress in nearby Claremore, Oklahoma, the proposal is one of several from years ago and is not finalized. They will host … Continue reading Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit
Memories of 2016
Frank and Lynne Kocevar put together this video compilation of family and friends from the past year. You'll probably see familiar faces from a wide swath of Route 66. Happy New Year 2017 from Route 66 Experience on Vimeo. The Kocevars formerly owned Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. They now run the Route 66 … Continue reading Memories of 2016