A few months ago, we engaged in a reader poll that asked the seemingly simple, but surprisingly complicated question: "What are the top 10 icons of Route 66?" Many readers enjoyed filling out the poll, as it brought back memories of Route 66 trips. A few agonized over their choices because it proved difficult to vote … Continue reading What are the top 10 restaurants 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.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, along with special guest Pure Prairie League, will perform Aug. 14 at the historic Gillioz Theatre during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, according to the Springfield News-Leader. The country-rock band, which has been around for almost 50 years, is best-known for its cover of "Mr. Bojangles" … Continue reading Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play at Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Amboy School may become home to artists colony
The long-closed Amboy School in the desolate Route 66 hamlet of Amboy, California, may become a center for an artists colony, according to the Needles Desert Star in Needles, California. The Needles Unified School District owns the property, and is considering selling it or leasing it to a European artists colony, the newspaper reported. An … Continue reading Amboy School may become home to artists colony
Michael Wallis appears on C-SPAN
"Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis talks about Cyrus Avery, Tulsa, and the history of Route 66 during a 14-minute segment on the C-SPAN cable channel. This segment was filmed just a few weeks ago in Tulsa. The video cannot be linked, so go to the link here so you can watch it … Continue reading Michael Wallis appears on C-SPAN
New Route 66 souvenir shop opens on Santa Monica Pier
A new Route 66 gift shop in a custom, 16-foot Airstream trailer as opened in the Pacific Park amusement area on the Santa Monica Pier, according to a news release from Pier Communications. The shop doesn't have a specific name, but is an additional retail outlet in Pacific Park, according to the park's communications director. … Continue reading New Route 66 souvenir shop opens on Santa Monica Pier
Route 66 Malt Shop loses its lease
The Route 66 Malt Shop restaurant, in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, lost its lease on the property it is situated, and its future appears uncertain. According to Albuquerque Business First, the lease ends July 31: Sperry Van Ness/Walt Arnold Commercial Brokerage adviser and retail specialist Glenn Wright is now marketing the 1,920-square-foot space for … Continue reading Route 66 Malt Shop loses its lease
Man restoring old gas station in Foyil
A resident of Foyil, Oklahoma, is restoring a late 1920s filling station along an original alignment of Route 66 through the town. Nathan Williams informed me his brother-in-law, Kean Isaacs, aims to restore the station to "its original condition or as close as possible." According to an email: He hopes to turn it into an information … Continue reading Man restoring old gas station in Foyil
Japanese man plans to retrace Andy Payne’s Bunion Derby trek
A Japanese ultramarathon runner later this month plans to retrace Andy Payne's steps during the 1928 International Transcontinental Foot Race, better known as the Bunion Derby. Atsuyuki Katsuyama, a native of Japan who lives in Thailand, will begin the 3,400-mile trek from Los Angeles to New York City on April 25 and hopes to finish it in … Continue reading Japanese man plans to retrace Andy Payne’s Bunion Derby trek
Haunted House restaurant soon will be auctioned
The Haunted House restaurant, which has sat off the 1950s-1980s alignment of Route 66 in Oklahoma City for more than 50 years, soon will be auctioned because of declining health of its nearly 90-year-old owner, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. The steakhouse will be auctioned by Dakil Auctioneers on April 16. The eatery sits on a … Continue reading Haunted House restaurant soon will be auctioned
Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame
Sally Bourne Ferrell of Chandler, Oklahoma, an early leader in the creation of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and one of the champions in restoring a historic armory that became the Route 66 Interpretive Center, was announced as an inductee to the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, according to a report in The Oklahoman newspaper. The induction … Continue reading Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame