A 21-mile stretch of Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert reopened Friday from Cadiz Road to Essex Road, reported the Needles Desert Star. A large chunk of Route 66 in the Mojave closed in September 2014 after flash flooding damaged roadways and destroyed dozens of bridges. The stretch from Ludlow to Amboy reopened in January after … Continue reading Part of Route 66 reopens in the Mojave Desert
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.
Jensen’s Point spruced up by volunteers
Jensen's Point lookout along Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, is slated to reopen in February. The site's readiness for visitors took a big step last weekend after three dozen volunteers -- mostly from the Ozark Trails Association -- cleared brush, trimmed branches and removed trash from along the steps and slope to the lookout area. As part of … Continue reading Jensen’s Point spruced up by volunteers
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is sold
The World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois, has been sold, but the new owner's plans for the landmark remain unclear. The Belleville News-Democrat reported Franklin “Al” Bieri, owner of Mississippi River Construction Co. of O'Fallon, Illinois, announced his purchase of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, which actually is a 170-foot-tall water tower painted to resemble a Brooks … Continue reading World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is sold
Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
Ortega National Parks, a company with roots on Route 66, was given the contract for concessions at the Petrified Forest National Park, reported the Arizona Journal. Xanterra Parks and Resorts held the park's concessions contract for more than 30 years after it bought out the Fred Harvey Company, which served the park for 40 years before that. Petrified … Continue reading Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
If you're in the Tulsa area Friday, you may want to make your way to the Route 66 Village on the southwest part of town and check out the Christmas lighting of its big steam locomotive at 6 p.m. City councilor Jeannie Cue also said Santa Claus will be at the Route 66 Village from 5:30 … Continue reading Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year
The historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, will mark its 90th year with a big New Year's Eve concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and an expanded number of classic-movie screenings and plenty of concerts through 2016, according to the Springfield News-Leader. A total of 12 to 15 films will be screened next year, … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year
The glow of El Vado
Maybe by the year 2017, we'll get to see this again. Dan Uscian recently uploaded footage from June 1994 when the neon tubing of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque still glowed brightly, including its memorably designed sign. https://youtu.be/gKxg7BUSLX0 No one has seen this sight in more than a decade. A developer … Continue reading The glow of El Vado
Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
The restoration of the one-room schoolhouse in the Route 66 hamlet of Phelps, Missouri, marked a milestone Friday by reinstalling the bell tower and bell on the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. The nonprofit Phelps School Community Center started its efforts about a year ago to restore the dilapidated but cherished building, which sits … Continue reading Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale
In October 2014, the news got out that longtime owners Nick and Demi Adam had put the historic Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, up for sale with a $1.2 million price tag. In a follow-up story this week, Adam told the Springfield State Journal-Register the Route 66 restaurant remains for sale, although he said he … Continue reading Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale