Ellsworth Hayes, son of deceased Bottle Tree Ranch founder Elmer Long, a few days ago popped in at the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook to announce he would "continue his legacy" as the Route 66 landmark approaches its 25th anniversary. Hayes wrote: After he passed away from lung cancer In 2019, I basically went … Continue reading Elmer Long’s son says he’ll “continue legacy” of Bottle Tree Ranch
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.
Wildfires destroy Will Rogers’ historic California home
Wildfires on Tuesday night destroyed the historic California home of Oklahoma humorist Will Rogers within the Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. More fires broke out on the northern edge of Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Travel along Route 66 in that region is discouraged, and many motels … Continue reading Wildfires destroy Will Rogers’ historic California home
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum contains a half-century of collecting
The Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum in Bristow, Oklahoma, is the culmination of one man's dream and his collecting of toys for over 50 years. KJRH-TV in nearby Tulsa interviewed Bret Fadely, who co-owns the museum and is its visionary. "All my life, for years, I've collected toys. I just wanted to share and make … Continue reading Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum contains a half-century of collecting
Historic tax credits rejected to convert Gold Dome in OKC into a music venue
A developer wants to convert the historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City into a music concert site, but he'll have to do it without historic tax credits or grants from the state's Route 66 commission. Instead, Mike Brown, president of Tulsa-based Kismet Koncerts, will seek $3 million in local tax increment financing to renovate the site, … Continue reading Historic tax credits rejected to convert Gold Dome in OKC into a music venue
Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work
The popular Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will take a break in 2025 because of a long-planned streetscape redesign on Dewey Street (aka Route 66). Organizers of the holiday event said it would resume in 2026, the same year as Route 66's centennial. The Route 66 Christmas Chute announced the one-year hiatus … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work
Camp Joy replica arch mostly completed in front of an original cabin at Lebanon park
Lettering for a Camp Joy replica archway in front of one of the former Route 66 tourist camp's original cabins was completed just before the new year at Boswell Park in Lebanon, Missouri. Joker Welding and Weld Supply of Lebanon attached the lettering. The only task remaining for the archway project is painting the back … Continue reading Camp Joy replica arch mostly completed in front of an original cabin at Lebanon park
Jimmy Carter visited Elk City twice
Jimmy Carter twice visited the Route 66 town of Elk City, Oklahoma, during the 1970s, including once when he was U.S. president. Carter, who served one term as U.S. commander-in-chief before embarking on an impactful and dignified post-presidential career, died on Dec. 29 at age 100. News9 in Oklahoma City recently published a story about … Continue reading Jimmy Carter visited Elk City twice
Tulsa Oilers hockey team to be renamed Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11
The Tulsa Oilers hockey team, an Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls affiliate, will temporarily change its name to the Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11 in tribute to the historic highway and the Blue Whale landmark in nearby Catoosa. According to a news release from the Oilers, the team will wear … Continue reading Tulsa Oilers hockey team to be renamed Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11
Grand Canyon Caverns schedules grand reopening for tours on Feb. 1
Grand Canyon Caverns, hampered by an elevator mishap into the caverns two years ago, recently announced it would hold a grand reopening event for its tours on Feb. 1. The office manager for the caverns' marketing arm in an email also revealed other improvements at the Route 66 site: We are under new ownership/management and … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns schedules grand reopening for tours on Feb. 1