The 80-year-old Mother Jones Monument off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, was rededicated Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 300 people after the union activist's grave was restored, according to the Peoria Journal-Star. More about the monument in Union Miners Cemetery -- the nation's only union-owned cemetery -- in Mount Olive: … Continue reading Mother Jones Monument restored
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.
Thefts hit Gay Parita Station
Apparently the same thief or thieves who recently struck the ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, also hit the nearby Gay Parita Sinclair station in recent days. According to Steve Turner, son of late Gay Parita owner Gary Turner, the following items were taken: Royal Crown thermometer by the Dunlop Tires sign Squirt oil sign below … Continue reading Thefts hit Gay Parita Station
Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri
Two men who mysteriously died in a Springfield, Missouri, motel room while traveling Route 66 last month succumbed to cerebral malaria, according to several media outlets, including the Associated Press. Gerrit Strydom, 45, and James Bethel, 44, both of South Africa, died of the noncommunicable disease before their bodies were found May 9 in separate … Continue reading Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri
Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced
A couple of weeks ago, the Route 66: The Road Ahead initiative announced a series of collaborative workshops in seven cities in July. This week, the initiative provided times and places for each workshop: --- Tuesday, July 21, Springfield, Illinois, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Route 66 Hotel Conference Center, 625 E. St. Joseph St. (map … Continue reading Times, places of Route 66: The Road Ahead workshops announced
New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store
The new owner of Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, will convert the Route 66 restaurant into a "cowboys and Indians" antique store after buying it at auction last weekend, according to the El Reno Tribune. Cliff Johnson, a musician, submitted the winning bid of $63,000 for the building. According to the newspaper: Johnson said … Continue reading New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store
Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments
The mayor of Galena, Kansas, and six current or former city councilors recently were notified they've been indicted on a felony charge of misuse of public funds in a case that involves one of the town's most prominent Route 66 property owners, according to stories in the Joplin Globe and Cherokee County News-Advocate. Among those … Continue reading Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments
Test your ability to Hit the Road
The folks in Atlanta, Illinois, unveiled a deceptively simple but unusual new attraction in their Route 66 town -- a Hit the Road game modeled after an old strongman contest commonly seen at county fairs many years ago. The Hit the Road game is next to the Bunyon Statue in downtown Atlanta. More details: The … Continue reading Test your ability to Hit the Road
Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop
The city of Albuquerque and a former restaurant employee settled a lawsuit against the Route 66 Malt Shop over the eatery's refusal to pay a voter-mandated minimum wage increase, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The lawsuit was filed two years ago and was set to go to trial this week. Attorneys had made opening arguments … Continue reading Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop
Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
A rival developer's appeal of the city of Albuquerque's decision to award a redevelopment contract for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge was rejected Monday night during the regular council meeting, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The winning contractor, Anthea, will spend a projected $8.2 million to renovate the Route 66 motel into extended-stay lodging, … Continue reading Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
Week-long Great Race begins Saturday
The annual Hemming Motor News Great Race begins Saturday in Kirkwood, Missouri, and will go down much of Route 66 to the end in Santa Monica, California, on June 28. The Springfield (Mo.) Convention and Visitors Bureau had some details about the event for cars made up to 1972: The cross-country rally is a timed, controlled-speed endurance … Continue reading Week-long Great Race begins Saturday