The Springfield State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., soon will publish a section on area businesses that are at least 100 years old. One of them is Maldaner's Restaurant in downtown Springfield, which has operated since 1884. It sits on Sixth Street (aka Route 66), which makes it one of the rare still-operating restaurants that predate … Continue reading A feature on Maldaner’s, one of Route 66’s oldest restaurants
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.
TripAdvisor ranks Blue Swallow among top bargain motels
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., ranked among the top 25 "bargain" motels in the United States in TripAdvisor's 2014 Traveler's Choice Awards. The Blue Swallow is listed at No. 6. TripAdvisor said the average nightly rate in its bargain group is $91. Random observation: Four of the 25 motels in that category are … Continue reading TripAdvisor ranks Blue Swallow among top bargain motels
Pete Seeger, R.I.P.
Folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger died Monday night in New York City hospital at age 94, according to various media outlets. We'll let the Los Angeles Times and other newspapers report about Seeger's impact on music and America in general, his triumphs and his controversies. One should remember that in addition to writing the … Continue reading Pete Seeger, R.I.P.
Historic Bernalillo bar isn’t closed, but it’s for sale
The historic Silva's Saloon along old Route 66 in Bernalillo, N.M., isn't closed (contrary to rumor), but the owner confirmed to Albuquerque Business First the business indeed is for sale. Owner Denise Silva told the newspaper the bar will stay open until it sells "or until both of us die" -- referring to co-owner Felix … Continue reading Historic Bernalillo bar isn’t closed, but it’s for sale
Wind storm damages World’s Largest Covered Wagon
A wind storm Sunday night severely damaged the World's Largest Covered Wagon next to Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., that features a statue of a sitting Abraham Lincoln, reported the Lincoln Courier. The newspaper detailed the damage: The wind blew the wagon and its rider, Abraham Lincoln, nearly onto its side. Though the statue of the … Continue reading Wind storm damages World’s Largest Covered Wagon
Another sign painter with a long history on Route 66
A few years ago, I tracked down Rudy Gonzales of Tucumcari, N.M., who hand-painted signs along the Route 66 corridor in the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico for five decades. Another sign painter has operated along Route 66 for about as long in eastern Arizona. According to an article in the Arizona Journal, Severo Barela of … Continue reading Another sign painter with a long history on Route 66
Eat-Rite Diner damaged in SUV crash
The historic Eat-Rite Diner near downtown St. Louis was damaged when a sport-utility vehicle crashed into it about 3 a.m. today, according to KMOV-TV and other St. Louis media outlets. KMOV had this description of the crash: A witness told News 4 one car ran a red light and then hit another car. According to … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner damaged in SUV crash
Barney’s Beanery opens location on Redondo Pier
Barney's Beanery, a fixture on Route 66 in West Hollywood, Calif., since 1920, has opened a new site on the renovated Redondo Pier in Redondo Beach, Calif., according to The Beach Reporter. The newspaper reported: Like its sister locations, Barney’s is decked out with similar decor inspired by Route 66 and entertainment legends. Dozens of … Continue reading Barney’s Beanery opens location on Redondo Pier
Comparing Cars Land to Route 66 landmarks
AttractionsMagazine.com has put together a video that compares Cars Land at Disney California Adventure to real-life landmarks on Route 66. https://youtu.be/ExGmfv_-Qeo There's more than what's in the video, of course. I suspect the source material came from this very popular post from Route 66 News in 2006. (A nighttime image of Cars Land by HarshLight … Continue reading Comparing Cars Land to Route 66 landmarks
A new song about El Trovatore
Arizona musician Will Strickland sings about the revitalization of the historic El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz. Local filmmaker Norman Fisk provided the footage for the video: https://youtu.be/1XFbHFdb12U (Nighttime image of El Trovatore Motel by Graeme Maclean via Flickr)