The El Paso Diablos baseball team wants to move to Joplin, Mo., but wants the city to improve Joe Becker Stadium in return. The Diablos, affiliated with the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball and owned by WLD Suarez Baseball, were so successful in El Paso, Texas, that a professional team moved a Class AAA affiliate … Continue reading Team wants Joplin to improve historic baseball stadium
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.
Webb City candy shop revives classic candy-canes
The Minerva Candy Co. in downtown Webb City, Mo., revived a long-dormant candy-cane recipe over the weekend with the help of the former owner. According to the Joplin Globe: It’s been years since Minerva manufactured the Christmas treat. The shop had been closed since the mid-2000s until Tom Hamsher and his wife, Mary, purchased it … Continue reading Webb City candy shop revives classic candy-canes
Chilly day for the Route 66 Marathon
Folks at today's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa dealt with 20-degree temperatures at race time, with wind chills in the teens. Participants probably were OK once they ran a few miles. But it had to be uncomfortable for fans and volunteers. At least it didn't snow; a winter weather advisory of snow and sleet is … Continue reading Chilly day for the Route 66 Marathon
Gillioz Theatre has a new owner
The historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Mo., has a new owner, and it's not the local community college, as expected. According to the Springfield News-Leader, Springfield resident Robert Low, owner of the Prime Inc. trucking company, purchased the theater that sits on an old alignment of Route 66. Low also signed a lease agreement … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre has a new owner
Future looks brighter for Rich & Creamy stand
The Rich & Creamy ice cream stand in Joliet, Ill., which faced an iffy future months ago because of back rent, a leaky roof and warnings about hazards to pedestrians, seems to have a brighter days ahead. The city is applying for a $25,000 grant to fix the roof, reported The Herald-News in Joliet. And … Continue reading Future looks brighter for Rich & Creamy stand
How POPS picks its sodas
This video is essentially a plug for US Food's soda line. But it also gives a good overview of POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. Artisan Sodas Route 66 from Hank Henry on Vimeo. UPDATE: I've been told that US Food has discontinued the sodas, and the video has been pulled.
“Route 66” as heard in 1946
If you want to hear what "Route 66" sounded like when it was first recorded and released by Nat King Cole in 1946, this is the closest thing to it -- a 78 rpm record. https://youtu.be/kBRV6r2kKsc
“American Giants,” Episode 7
Here is the seventh episode of Joel Baker's "American Giants" series, about the history of Muffler Men fiberglass figures. https://youtu.be/M5fjDMRg8kI This episode, based in the Chicago area, delves into the difficulty of finding the history and spare parts for Muffler Men.
JFK cruised Route 66 in Albuquerque
KOB-TV in Albuquerque found a gentleman in town who used a home movie camera to document President John F. Kennedy and his motorcade going down Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in 1962. The footage had never been seen in public until now. https://youtu.be/9L91QhId0mY KOB's reporter, Chris Ramirez, wrote: The two minute silent film starts off … Continue reading JFK cruised Route 66 in Albuquerque
Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”
A new book from prolific author Jim Hinckley, "Route 66 Treasures" (64 pages, hardback, Voyageur Press, $30 U.S. retail) might seem just a simple collection of facsimile souvenirs from the Mother Road. It is that, but it's more. Although its 64 pages seem to be a slim book, Hinckley and more than 100 color illustrations … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”