The relighting of the soon-to-be-restored Vic Suhling / Gas for Less neon sign in Litchfield, Ill., will occur at dusk Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, according to a release this week from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. The new museum, at 334 … Continue reading Vic Suhling sign will be relighted Oct. 26
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.
City of Amarillo votes to buy historic Santa Fe depot
The Amarillo City Commission voted Tuesday to buy the historic Santa Fe Depot in downtown for $2.6 million, including renovations, despite some objections from residents over the cost, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. The newspaper said: Commissioners spoke of important factors considered in the purchase real estate — its relatively large size, proximity to the Civic … Continue reading City of Amarillo votes to buy historic Santa Fe depot
Mojave water company wants to build museum, tourism train
A water-mining company in California's Mojave Desert wants to build a museum and offer rides in an antique steam train. However, environmentalists says this proposal is a ploy to avoid federal scrutiny of its water project, reported The Press-Enterprise last week. The museum and locomotive would be in the desert settlement of Cadiz, about three … Continue reading Mojave water company wants to build museum, tourism train
Proposal may preserve Riverside-Figueroa Bridge
The historic Riverside-Figueroa Bridge, slated for destruction next year to make way for a new bridge, may earn a reprieve because of a new proposal, reported The Eastsider. On Thursday, the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission voted to ask the city’s Bureau of Engineering to respond to a proposal by some Elysian Valley architects to put the demolition … Continue reading Proposal may preserve Riverside-Figueroa Bridge
It appears Route 66 Rendezvous substitute will stay in Ontario
After the 2013 Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., was suspended due to the city's bankruptcy, many Rendezvous organizers set up shop in nearby Ontario, Calif., with a new Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion car show. If there was any doubts whether a doppelgänger classic-car show would be a success elsewhere in the Los Angeles region, … Continue reading It appears Route 66 Rendezvous substitute will stay in Ontario
“Twentysix Gasoline Stations” art book marks 50th anniversary
Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha self-published his art photography book, "Twentysix Gasoline Stations," 50 years ago this year. Few would have predicted the book, which portrays 26 gas stations on Route 66 from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City, would have proved so influential to other artists. NPR posted this report on the book: Exceprts from … Continue reading “Twentysix Gasoline Stations” art book marks 50th anniversary
“The American Dream and the American Drive”
Longtime roadie Kathy Anderson produced this film for the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Okla. Using Route 66 as a springboard, it shows how highways evolved in the United States. You'll probably see a few familiar faces: The American Dream, The American Drive from Kathy Anderson on Vimeo. Anderson explained more of the … Continue reading “The American Dream and the American Drive”
Carl’s Drive-In named one of America’s best
This story from KSDK-TV in St. Louis came across the Facebook feed today. It's about Carl's Drive-In, along the Manchester alignment of Route 66 in Brentwood, Mo. Carl's has regularly made the top 10 nationally among burger joints, including this recent list from Gayot.com. In case KSDK's video doesn't load properly, you can see this … Continue reading Carl’s Drive-In named one of America’s best
“American Giants,” Episode 4
Joel Baker has uploaded the fourth episode of his "American Giants" series, which delves into the history of roadside fiberglass giants (aka Muffler Men). https://youtu.be/LrlDvV7hgDQ Baker explained why this particular episode was shortened: Because I could not reach the owner of the Gemini Giant, I removed the second half of the episode that covered the … Continue reading “American Giants,” Episode 4
Illinois Soda Fountain Trail
Illinois Tourism put together this delectable video of the Soda Fountain Trail, including Doc's Soda Fountain near Route 66 in Girard, Ill.: https://youtu.be/FDJ1K_5Dw3w More about the Soda Fountain Trail can be found here.