Ahead of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival this weekend, the city of Springfield, Missouri, launched an interactive "story map" website detailing about 80 Route 66 businesses that once stood or still exist in the city and its outskirts. According to KSMU radio, the city's Geographic Information Systems division used mapping software Esri to create the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website
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.
Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe
El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ended 80 years of family ownership when a Texas real-estate investment company recently bought the historic Route 66 motel. The Santa Fe New Mexican had the scoop Wednesday night: Terrell White, who had owned El Rey since 1973, sold the 5-acre complex to a company called Behringer, … Continue reading Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe
Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
The owners of the Fanning 66 Outpost -- most famous for the Route 66 Red Rocker giant rocking chair -- announced Tuesday they would close the business effective Thursday because of "economic conditions." Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro posted this message on the business' Facebook page: Farewell from Fanning 66 Outpost, General Store, Archery and feed. Due … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
A group of concerned residents seeks to restore the Virden History Mural in Virden, Illinois, on Route 66 that depicts the town's transportation history. City officials dedicated the 52-by-19-foot mural by Greenville College professor John Hubbell in 2004. But it's encountered hard times recently, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Illinois weather has been hard on the mural, said Suzanne Gray, … Continue reading Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road
Additional information emerged over the weekend about the oft-reported Route 66 Welcome Center solar road that will be installed near Conway, Missouri. The solar panels will be laid on a 12-by-20-foot section of sidewalk, not road surface, at the Route 66-themed rest area off Interstate 44, reported the Kansas City Star. “We want to start kind of smaller and … Continue reading More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road
Melvena Heisch, Laurel Kane inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Melvena Heish and the late Laurel Kane were inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. The ceremony also celebrated the 90th anniversary of Route 66 and marked two new exhibits at the museum -- one about folk art and another of … Continue reading Melvena Heisch, Laurel Kane inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign
A broken sign for a Springfield, Missouri, church found new life. That's thanks to a pastor who is a Route 66 fan. The South Side Baptist Church sign sits at 465 S. Grant Ave., just a few blocks south of the College Street alignment of Route 66 in Springfield. The church is marking its 75th year. The church's sign once was lighted, with the largest … Continue reading Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign
St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse named to National Register
The St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse on a corner of Route 66 near downtown was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register listing became effective July 28, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The structure also is known as the Robert A. Young Federal Building, or RAY … Continue reading St. Louis Mart and Terminal Warehouse named to National Register
Seven minutes about the Bunion Derby
I missed this when it was uploaded a few weeks ago, but this seven-minute film about the 1928 Trans-American Footrace, aka Bunion Derby, encapsulates the amazing Route 66 sports event as well as anything you'll likely see. The film was produced by Osiyo TV, which is owned by the Cherokee Nation. The key link to the tribe … Continue reading Seven minutes about the Bunion Derby
Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum opens to public
A Tulsa television station took a look inside the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, shortly after it opened to the public. Fox 23 filed this report from the museum, which is just off Route 66 on the city's west side: Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday … Continue reading Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum opens to public