An additional marquee for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, that was nixed because of its unpopularity is returning -- this time, to the back of the historic building. The theater's principals still are raising funds for the classic marquee. But they think the red-headed stepchild of the other marquee still can prove useful. The Herald-News reported: … Continue reading Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
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.
Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality
Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and Classical Gas Museum owner Johnnie Meier have edged closer to an agreement to set up a Route 66 museum in the city's Ilfeld Warehouse. Last week's print edition of the The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa, reported the city and Meier were in on-and-off talks for almost a decade amid funding issues and other sticking … Continue reading Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality
Mural being painted in Pacific, Missouri
Artist Ray Harvey is painting a detailed mural, titled "The Day the Train Came to Pacific," on the Route 66 corridor in Pacific, Missouri. The Washington Missourian reports Harvey is painting a 12-by-26-foot mural on a Pacific Plaza wall in the 500 block of East Osage Street. It's not the first time Harvey has plied his work along … Continue reading Mural being painted in Pacific, Missouri
“Ship It on the Frisco”
A song off The Bottle Rockets' new album, "Ship It on the Frisco," sent me down a rabbit hole researching a certain Route 66 overpass and the railroad that once traveled on it. The song (download MP3 here) is found on The Bottle Rockets' excellent album, "South Broadway Athletic Club" (the album's title comes from a historic place on South Broadway in … Continue reading “Ship It on the Frisco”
DVD review: “The Missouri Maze”
Unoccupied Route 66 continues its mix of history and atmospheric images of forlorn Route 66 sites in its latest documentary, "The Missouri Maze." The 26-minute film ($14.95 list, shipping included), directed by KC Keefer and hosted by Nick Gerlich, tells about a mid-Missouri area where Route 66 ended up realigned, realigned again, then abandoned by Interstate 44. Here's … Continue reading DVD review: “The Missouri Maze”
Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
A group of middle-school students from rural Iowa captured a national title for their Route 66 presentation during the annual National History Day contest in Maryland last week. Jack Anderson, Jader Briggs, Megan Swancutt, Daytona Foley and Logan Smith of Akron-Westfield Community School in Akron, Iowa, finished first place in the Junior Group Performance division at nationals with … Continue reading Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
Scenes from Rockabilly on the Route
Frank Kocevar, former owner of the Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, put together this video from the recent Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Longtime Route 66 aficionados probably will recognize a few faces here. Rockabilly - 2016 Tucumcari, New Mexico from Route 66 Experience on Vimeo. The Quay County Sun … Continue reading Scenes from Rockabilly on the Route
Tulsa mayor creates Route 66 Commission
Tulsa's mayor on Friday announced the creation of a Route 66 Commission to promote tourism and economic development in the city. Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced the commission at the Soul City store, restaurant and nightclub on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. Bartlett chose it as the site of the announcement because it's a symbol of revitalization … Continue reading Tulsa mayor creates Route 66 Commission
Route 66-Lincoln Highway marker erected in Joliet
The city of Joliet, Illinois, long has been known by historians as boasting the intersection of two historic roads -- Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway. Now casual travelers will learn of this major crossroads with a new, 7-foot-tall marker at Chicago and Cass streets (map here) in Joliet, reported the Herald-News. Local officials see the … Continue reading Route 66-Lincoln Highway marker erected in Joliet
New Route 66 mural painted in Wilmington
A recent high-school graduate finished painting a big Route 66 mural in downtown Wilmington, Illinois, last week. Dylan Wallace, 18, put the finishing touches on the 18-foot-tall mural at 200 N. Water St. on Monday, according to Free Press Newspapers. "I wanted to paint it so that it looks like it's been up there for 100 … Continue reading New Route 66 mural painted in Wilmington