Aubrey McClendon, best known as the former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp. but known to Route 66 fans as owner of the landmark Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma, died in a fiery highway crash in Oklahoma City on Wednesday -- one day after he was federally indicted in an alleged bid-rigging scheme. He was 56. The Oklahoman … Continue reading Aubrey McClendon, owner of Pops, dies in car crash
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.
New microbrewery opening in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 town of Springfield, Missouri, later this year will open its fourth microbrewery in a site that once was one of the region's big radio stations. Lost Signal Brewing Co. will open at 610 W. College St. (aka Route 66), reported the Springfield News-Leader. Named because the 3,200-square-foot building it will occupy was … Continue reading New microbrewery opening in Springfield, Missouri
Highlights of Route 66 in southwest Missouri
Brand USA keeps cranking out good videos about Route 66. These clips are produced in an effort to entice foreign travelers. The latest one concentrates on Pulaski County, Springfield and Joplin in Missouri. Kudos to the cinematographer for all the saturated color in the footage. https://youtu.be/ChJEQjscQTM More Route 66 videos from Brand USA may be … Continue reading Highlights of Route 66 in southwest Missouri
Red Hill Coffee Shop gets new owner
The historic Red Hill Coffee Shop along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, will have a new owner Tuesday. Jim Moffatt, who owned the restaurant at 8111 Foothill Blvd. (Route 66) for 40 years, will turn the keys over to Gabby Sanchez, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Moffatt kept a lid on the transaction, … Continue reading Red Hill Coffee Shop gets new owner
Will The Boundary be endangered by Route 66 upgrades?
The co-owner of The Boundary restaurant isn't sure whether proposed improvements to Oklahoma Route 66 will force him out of business, but he's going to to try to keep that from happening regardless. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will host a meeting at 6 p.m.Tuesday. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church at 500 Odor St. in Arcadia about … Continue reading Will The Boundary be endangered by Route 66 upgrades?
Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
A poor shoeshine boy who took coins from a wishing well at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles returned to the restaurant many decades later to repay it "with interest." The LAist got the scoop on this remarkable story about Willie Gordon, who later became a successful attorney and detective novelist and married another author, … Continue reading Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
The future of the Gemini Giant on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois, is a lot cloudier after it was announced it and its restaurant will be sold at auction in April. James Bednar of Bednar Auction Service told the Kankakee Daily Journal the unique, 30-foot-tall fiberglass giant and the long-closed Launching Pad restaurant will be sold in one … Continue reading Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
Ramada Kingman running a Route 66 photo contest
Ramada Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, is asking Route 66 fans to help decorate the facility's lounge, restaurant and lobby as part of the hotel's continuing revitalization. To that end, the Ramada Kingman is running a photo contest. More details from the news release: Route 66 enthusiasts are being asked to share their favorite photos that … Continue reading Ramada Kingman running a Route 66 photo contest
Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip
Billy Corgan, lead singer and songwriter for the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, recently finished a three-week road trip for a film documentary that included sections of Route 66. Corgan announced the trip on his blog earlier this month. He casually mentioned Route 66 in it, but with few specifics. Given the broad purpose of his trip, it wasn't … Continue reading Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip
Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66
Springfield, Illinois, may add a tax-increment financing district to declining Peoria Road, which is historic Route 66 in the town's north side. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay a part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements for businesses. Anecdotal evidence existed the Peoria Road district was in decline, but WRSP-TV had … Continue reading Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66