The Galena Viaduct, also known as the Front Street Bridge, north of Galena, Kansas, recently received almost $400,000 in grants to finish its restoration. The bridge recently received a federal $193,836 Community Development Block Grant and a $193,837 match from Cherokee County. Cherokee County commissioner Pat Collins said the money will be used to refurbish the … Continue reading Galena Viaduct wins grants to finish restoration
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.
The ghosts of Tom Joad
Below the new and idyllic Route 66 Roadside Park in Springfield, Missouri, a campground for the homeless has sprung up in recent months. KYTV in Springfield talked to Heather Cooper, one of the homeless there: "I have post traumatic stress disorder with traumatic nightmares. I've got stage one bipolar, stage one manic depressive illness, which is … Continue reading The ghosts of Tom Joad
Holbrook Dairy Queen sign allowed to stay
Less than two weeks ago, it was learned Dairy Queen wanted a franchise along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, to replace its 50-year-old neon sign. Hundreds of preservationists launched a Change.org petition and called and emailed DQ headquarters in response, asking it to allow the sign to stay at its longtime home at 1004 Navajo Blvd. … Continue reading Holbrook Dairy Queen sign allowed to stay
Chinese film includes Route 66 as a setting
A Chinese romance film, "Run for Love," prominently features Route 66 as one of its settings, reported China Daily. "Run for Love," which will be released in Chinese theaters on Feb. 14 (not a coincidence), features five love stories filmed by five directors. Love stories also take place in Norway, Japan, Turkey and Saipan. The Route … Continue reading Chinese film includes Route 66 as a setting
A chat with Dries Bessels
KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series released its latest clip, an interview with Dries Bessels. Bessels co-founded the Dutch Route 66 Association in the Netherlands and guides motorcycle tours down Route 66 annually. https://youtu.be/gAB19-HYuSY It probably is safe to say Bessels has the most interesting footwear on Route 66, as well.
Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum set to open by March
The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will have a soft opening in late March and an official opening June 1, according to Richard Holmes, president of the nonprofit museum. The museum at 13 Sahoma Lake Road, just off Route 66 on Sapulpa's west side, will feature a 66-foot-tall, old-style gasoline pump that … Continue reading Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum set to open by March
Oklahoma Land Run marker remains broken after two years
A marker on Route 66 that tells of one of Oklahoma's historic land runs remains unrepaired about two years after someone broke it. KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City reports that, as usual, the problem is a lack of money: The Run of 89 East Boundary marker sits near the corner of Route 66 and North Indian Meridian. The … Continue reading Oklahoma Land Run marker remains broken after two years
A history of The Tropics restaurant
Tami Goodrich, whose family owned The Tropics in Lincoln, Illinois, for 40 years, recently gave a presentation that delved deep into the history of the Route 66 restaurant. The New Herald News published a long article about Goodrich's presentation at the Palms Cafe Grill in Atlanta, Illinois, including a slide show. Many people already know … Continue reading A history of The Tropics restaurant
An interview with Laurel Kane
In 2012, Afton Station matriarch Laurel Kane was interviewed by Simon Cantlon and Justin Nathanson for their "Motels on Route 66" documentary film. The duo still are working on their movie. However, with the announcement of Kane's death last week, they decided to quickly edit that footage and release to the world. "We are deeply saddened … Continue reading An interview with Laurel Kane
Mojave Trails National Monument order expected soon
A declaration of a Mojave Trails National Monument that would include almost all of Route 66 from Needles to Barstow, California, is coming within days, according to a lengthy article by the San Francisco Chronicle. For six years, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has tried to get such a Mojave Trails National Monument designation through Congress, but … Continue reading Mojave Trails National Monument order expected soon