The Great Western Railroad depot in Springfield, Illinois, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 25, according to an email a few days ago from the National Park Service. The depot at 930 E. Monroe St. (map here) sits barely a block east of the classic Ninth Street alignment of Route … Continue reading Railroad depot in Springfield named to National Register
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.
Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
The long-abandoned Tucumcari Motel near downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, was destroyed by fire Friday -- the third suspicious fire in less than a week. The motel never was on Route 66, but it and its worn-down neon sign often was photographed by roadies who'd stumbled onto it. The motel was in a two-story structure at … Continue reading Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
Historic Seligman Sundries changes owners
A couple from Flagstaff, Arizona, took over ownership Friday of the Historic Seligman Sundries coffee shop and souvenir store on Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, from longtime proprietors Frank and Lynn Kocevar. Thomas Muetzel and Ursula "Uschi" Fuchs, who were regular customers for about four years, plan no big changes for the business. The Kocevars plan to hang around for another 30 … Continue reading Historic Seligman Sundries changes owners
Developer runs into snags with Irv’s Burgers structure
When a developer essentially forced out the operators of Irv's Burgers on Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, it probably thought its big problems were over. Meanwhile, the Sonia Hong family is thriving with Irv's Burgers at a new site on Route 66 in West Hollywood. And the developer has run afoul of the local … Continue reading Developer runs into snags with Irv’s Burgers structure
Pops opens a stand at the Tulsa airport
In addition to its flagship location on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, and a satellite location at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, Pops in recent days opened a new location inside Tulsa International Airport. The report from KOTV in Tulsa: News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Unless … Continue reading Pops opens a stand at the Tulsa airport
A night at the opera at the pier
The Santa Monica Pier on Sept. 17 is hosting a free big-screen broadcast of LA Opera's production of Verdi's famed "La Traviata." It's not like seeing an opera live at the venue, but the idyllic scene of a setting sun, ocean breezes and the surf will be a nice compensation, I'm sure. More about the production: … Continue reading A night at the opera at the pier
Albuquerque sign irks tourists, businesses
I missed this the last few times I was in downtown Albuquerque. But a sign on private property that says "Please, no puking, no pissing, no panhandling or perversion, thank you" continues to draw the ire of Route 66 tourists, businesses and city officials. KOAT-TV in Albuquerque posted a story about the sign, which has … Continue reading Albuquerque sign irks tourists, businesses
Baxter Springs restaurant recovers impressively after tornado
I missed this when it initially happened, but Weston's Route 66 Cafe in Baxter Springs, Kansas, reopened just six weeks after it was destroyed by a tornado in April. KODE-TV filed a recent story about how Weston's, at 1727 Military Ave., and other businesses have recovered after the tornado: An excerpt from the report: For … Continue reading Baxter Springs restaurant recovers impressively after tornado
Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care
Annabelle Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers in the Sandhills Curiosity Shop near Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma, soon will be moved into a hospice in Oklahoma City after a 3 1/2-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to the couple's Facebook account. Harley Russell posted this message this morning: Dear friends, I have called … Continue reading Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care
Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari
A suspected arson fire early Wednesday destroyed a long-closed motel known as the Payless Inn on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper. When firefighters arrived at the Payless Inn, 2000 W. Rte. 66 Blvd., three separate buildings on the property were engulfed in flames, Rigdon said. The blaze leveled … Continue reading Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari