The length of the original U.S. 66 is commonly cited as 2,448 miles (although Wikipedia lists it as 2,451 miles). Stefan Joppich's research indicates through bypasses and improvements, the length of Route 66 dropped in miles to 2,278 by 1947 -- much of it through the bypass of Santa Fe, which lopped off almost 120. How long … Continue reading What is the length of Route 66?
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.
Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s
Gilberto's Lounge, a mainstay dive bar along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, since the late 1960s, changed hands and now is Mustang Sally's, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Longtime owner Ken Gilbert was supposed to have sold his business more than a year ago, but the sale fell through. The bar kept … Continue reading Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s
Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
The Arroyo Seco Parkway will mark its 75th year of existence this month. The 8-mile stretch of highway, aka Pasadena Freeway or 110 Freeway, opened Dec. 30, 1940. The Los Angeles Daily News provided background on that day: The occasion was marked by parades and proclamations. Rose Queen Sally Stanton cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening it … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
Programming note
We're entering into a slow time of year for news on Route 66. So I'm taking time to update some of the pages on Route 66 News. Specifically, I'm updating the Attractions, Events, Dining, Lodging, Campgrounds and Bars pages. I've set a goal to have them done by New Year's, so they'll be more useful … Continue reading Programming note
North Coast 500: ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’
Yeah, that slogan caught my eye, too. The North Highland Initiative launched a campaign this year in an effort way to lure visitors to the so-called North Coast 500, a circular route that hugs the edge of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. Claire Farquhar, communications and project manager for the North Highland Initiative, explained in an email … Continue reading North Coast 500: ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’
Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful
The good news is U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, long an enemy of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, retired early this year. The bad news is his successor, Sen. James Lankford, has picked up Coburn's schtick and is calling for the program's repeal. For years, Coburn published a yearly report of alleged waste in … Continue reading Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful
San Bernardino mass shooting
You no doubt heard about the mass shooting Wednesday in the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, California, that left 14 people dead and 17 injured. The suspected shooters, an apparent husband-and-wife team, were slain during a confrontation with police later Wednesday. Initial reports of a third assailant never were confirmed. The best coverage I've seen … Continue reading San Bernardino mass shooting
Southwest Museum’s possible future laid out in report
A National Trust for Historic Preservation steering committee soon may make recommendations for the future of the long-troubled Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. Those include adding a restaurant to the grounds and expanding its focus beyond displaying Native American artifacts. An LA Curbed report summarized some of the proposals. The National Trust interviewed dozens of stakeholders for their ideas for the Southwest … Continue reading Southwest Museum’s possible future laid out in report
A view from the Oklahoma ice storm
An ice storm struck much of central Oklahoma over the weekend. One report said about 70,000 people were without power on Sunday. Here's a look at ice-covered trees that line old Route 66 between Bethany and Yukon, Oklahoma, near Lake Overholser. https://youtu.be/-zsMIPbKa68 The trees look terrible in the video, but most will recover. Many Oklahomans learned from … Continue reading A view from the Oklahoma ice storm
Rockin’ Y’s Roadhouse damaged by fire
A fire early Sunday heavily damaged Rockin' Y's Roadhouse on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and the restaurant will remain closed indefinitely while the owners and insurance adjusters assess the situation this week. Co-owner Yvette Peacock posted on Facebook on Sunday morning: At 2am, we got a call that will forever change our lives. Rockin' Ys' Roadhouse … Continue reading Rockin’ Y’s Roadhouse damaged by fire