This is the time of year, during the tourism off-season, when Route 66 News needs to do some updates in both its page content and its digital motor. So if you see something a little odd here or there, it's just me ... tinkering under the website's hood. Nothing drastic will happen, but these efforts … Continue reading A little tinkering under the hood
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.
Blue Whale hosts pop-up sale of Snapchat’s Spectacles
The landmark Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, hosted a temporary kiosk Tuesday morning for Snapchat's new video-recording Spectacles, drawing dozens of technology buffs from all over the region. Linda Hobbs, an operator of the gift shop at the Route 66 site, told KOTV people began lining up early Tuesday for the sale, before daylight. Snapchat … Continue reading Blue Whale hosts pop-up sale of Snapchat’s Spectacles
Jack Brown, CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, dies at 78
Jack Brown, 78, longtime CEO of Southern California's Stater Bros. Markets chain, died Sunday night surrounded by family members, according to a news release from the company Monday. Stater Bros. was the longtime chief sponsor of the Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, California, until the city's bankruptcy forced the stoppage of that classic-car event in 2012. … Continue reading Jack Brown, CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, dies at 78
Exploring the ruins of Ella’s Frontier
Crowd-funded filmmaker Dan Bell recently explored the ruins of Ella's Frontier off old Route 66 near Joseph City, Arizona. He interspersed the film with footage from the 1980s shortly after the business closed with the owner's death in 1984. https://youtu.be/LDK24ux8xfE According to the GhostTownAZ website: The business was owned and operated by Ella Blackwell, who … Continue reading Exploring the ruins of Ella’s Frontier
Survey indicates how bicycle tourism may affect Route 66
The Adventure Cycling Association -- which produced a fine map series on how to cycle on the Route 66 -- recently released some findings of a biennial survey. With some light editing, I decided to highlight data that's most relevant to the Mother Road. My comments are in italics. 1. Boom in “adventure” and touring … Continue reading Survey indicates how bicycle tourism may affect Route 66
Memories of Leon Russell
A lot of Tulsa residents are glum today. That's because songwriter and session musician Leon Russell died in his sleep at age 74, it was announced Sunday. Russell was Tulsa's favorite musical son. He certainly became the city's most prominent musician during the rock era. The only Tulsa music artist who rivaled him was western-swing … Continue reading Memories of Leon Russell
Angel Delgadillo archives given to university
Northern Arizona University announced Friday it accepted the archives of longtime Route 66 champion Angel Delgadillo to its collection. The announcement came in Delgadillo's hometown of Seligman, Arizona, on the 90th birthday of Route 66. Delgadillo, 89, known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66, founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and lobbied … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo archives given to university
Signs to be added to downtown Route 66 alignment in Lincoln
The city of Lincoln, Illinois, soon will add signs to direct travelers to a more-obscure 1926-1930 alignment through downtown. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced this week it worked with the city and the Illinois Department of Transportation to update Route 66 signs in Lincoln, including the 1926-1930 alignment through its historic downtown that … Continue reading Signs to be added to downtown Route 66 alignment in Lincoln
Lawmaker seeks Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission
It's still 10 years away, but an Illinois lawmaker wants to set up a commission to help celebrate Route 66's 100th anniversary in 2026. State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) introduced House Bill 6624 that would form an Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission. Butler revealed his proposal Thursday -- the day before the highway marked its 90th birthday. More from … Continue reading Lawmaker seeks Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission
Happy 90th birthday, Route 66!
Today -- which also happens to be Veterans Day -- marks the 90th birthday of the official existence of U.S. Highway 66, better known as Route 66. Nov. 11, 1926, was the day the American Association of State Highway Officials formally adopted the 2,448-mile path from Chicago to Los Angeles and number for U.S. Highway … Continue reading Happy 90th birthday, Route 66!