The historic but long-troubled Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, will be demolished by late summer or early fall, according to Tim Landis in his State Journal-Register business column. It earlier was reported the motel on South Sixth Street (aka Route 66) would be torn down by summer. However, demolition permits haven't yet been filed. Current … Continue reading Teardown schedule for Bel-Aire Motel solidifies
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.
Co-owner of Becky’s Barn dies
Becky Hargett, co-owner of Becky's Barn antique store, visitors center and snack shop on old Route 66 near Auburn, Illinois, died Saturday, according to her husband Rick. Rick Hargett posted this message on Facebook on Saturday afternoon: Post by Rick Hargett. Becky's Barn is especially notable for not what it is (although there's plenty special … Continue reading Co-owner of Becky’s Barn dies
Historic theater in South Pasadena sold
The historic but closed Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, has been sold to a developer with a history of renovating and reopening old buildings in downtown Los Angeles, reported the Los Angeles Times. Izek Shomof wants to turn the theater into an entertainment venue that could include a bar and showing old movies as … Continue reading Historic theater in South Pasadena sold
Did ‘Back to the Future’ get an idea from Blue Swallow Motel?
A longtime reader, Greg Holmes of Ace Jackalope fame, was at a theater screening the 1985 hit movie "Back to the Future" when he saw something familiar. In a scene were Marty is in 1955, there is a sign for the Blue Bird Motel in downtown Hill Valley. Here's the original image, but I've taken … Continue reading Did ‘Back to the Future’ get an idea from Blue Swallow Motel?
Route 66 exhibit was ‘most popular’ in Autry history
The just-completed "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles was declared "the most popular show in the history of the museum" by its president. That pronouncement was made by museum president Richard West, according to Jim Farber in an email Thursday. Farber shepherded the creation of the … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit was ‘most popular’ in Autry history
Barstow will dedicate new mural Saturday
A bank building in Barstow, California, will unveil Saturday a new mural about the region's turquoise history, according to a report in the Desert Dispatch. Union Bank at 239 E. Main St. (aka Route 66) will unveil the mural at 10 a.m. Saturday. It was created by local artist Juliette Tison, who has painted 21 … Continue reading Barstow will dedicate new mural Saturday
County clears plan for amusement park in Williams
Coconino County approved the creation of a theme park district that could lead to a half-billion-dollar amusement park on the north side of Williams, Arizona, according to the Arizona Daily Sun. The amusement park would be on 475 acres on the city's north side, plus 21 acres in downtown for a long-proposed, $20 million Arizona … Continue reading County clears plan for amusement park in Williams
Interview with “The 66 Kid” author
Artist and western historian Bob Boze Bell was interviewed for about 13 minutes by a PBS television station at Arizona State University about his new biography, “The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road," that deals primarily with his childhood in the Route 66 town of Kingman, Arizona. https://youtu.be/2OfK_nB1SFc?t=12m10s I've embedded the video so it … Continue reading Interview with “The 66 Kid” author
Two national Route 66 associations merge into one
The National Historic Route 66 Association and the Route 66 Alliance have merged into one group as the previously disbanded U.S. 66 Highway Association, according to a news release Monday afternoon. Here is the news release: Tulsa, OK, January 5, 2015 – Dormant since the 1970s, the original and most influential Route 66 organization, the … Continue reading Two national Route 66 associations merge into one
Aerial views of La Bajada Hill
This new video of a snow-dusted La Bajada Hill south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, uses a drone to film footage from the air. The video contains interesting and seldom-seen angles -- including a wrecked car in the beginning of the video. I've hiked La Bajada Hill three times and have never seen that car. … Continue reading Aerial views of La Bajada Hill