For more of a punk-rock feel of Bobby Troup's famous road song, here are The Virgins of Japan performing "Route 66." https://youtu.be/h9rn9oSCXa4 Sounds like they gobbled a fistful of trucker speed before going into the studio.
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.
Nominate endangered Route 66 places to the National Trust list
If you think a Route 66 landmark faces imminent danger from the wrecking ball, you can do something that might make a difference. Kaisa Bartuli at the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is recommending that roadies make nominations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014. She explained … Continue reading Nominate endangered Route 66 places to the National Trust list
Eastern Flyer train passes by Rock Creek Bridge
Passenger rail service returned for the first time in many years last week with the Eastern Flyer train that starts in the Route 66 town of Sapulpa, Okla., and goes to Oklahoma City suburb of Midwest City and back again. Other trips in February are already sold out. The idea was to generate interest in … Continue reading Eastern Flyer train passes by Rock Creek Bridge
A trip down Memory Lane in a 1950 Hudson
Here's a nearly quarter-century-old video from Dan Uscian cruising Route 66 near Lexington, Ill., in his 1950 Hudson, including a 1926 alignment now called Memory Lane that includes re-creations of vintage billboards. The original stretch of Route 66 in Lexington is open for pedestrians or cycling, but townsfolk reopen it for vehicular traffic on special … Continue reading A trip down Memory Lane in a 1950 Hudson
Has a sea change occurred with Route 66 tourism?
About 100 residents of the St. Louis suburb of Crestwood, Mo., recently gave opinions on how to revitalize the Watson Road, aka Route 66, according to an article in Call Newspapers. It's encouraging enough so many showed up to an alderman's town-hall meeting. But what intrigued me is so many people cited Route 66 as … Continue reading Has a sea change occurred with Route 66 tourism?
VFW wants to restore Skylark Motel tower and neon
The Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2482 will apply for a grant to restore the tower and its "neon scene" of the former Skylark Motel in west St. Clair, Mo., according to an article by The Missourian. The VFW post, which uses the motel at 1087 North Service Road West as its headquarters now, is applying … Continue reading VFW wants to restore Skylark Motel tower and neon
El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
The historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., may reopen as early as late March as an intermodal transportation facility -- but not as a hotel -- after a long rehabilitation, according to a recent report by the Needles Daily Star. According to the newspaper: Linda Kidd, city council woman and project committee member, said the hope … Continue reading El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
Route 66 Wind project east of Amarillo secures financing
Boston-based First Wind announced Wednesday it had obtained $206 million in financing for its Route 66 Wind energy project in Armstrong and Carson counties near Amarillo, according to a news release from the company. First Wind obtained financing help from Morgan Stanley and Santander Bank. The new wind farm will be capable of generating 150 megawatts, which … Continue reading Route 66 Wind project east of Amarillo secures financing
A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building
This article was going to be primarily about a new candy shop in downtown Waynesville, Mo. More on that later. But first, it's intriguing how the shop's landlord transformed a vacant lot with a new building that manages to sport an attractive but old-fashioned look. It is Roubidoux Square at 115 N. Benton St. (map … Continue reading A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building
Arcadia in high-risk situation if nearby dam fails
Reports from television sometimes tend to get a little hyperbolic. But this one from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City about the Route 66 town of Arcadia, Okla., brings a new angle to the state's newfound earthquake problem I hadn't considered. The gist: The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is increasingly concerned about earthquakes' effects on nearby Arcadia … Continue reading Arcadia in high-risk situation if nearby dam fails