A lot of folks use smartphones today. But more than 1 million residents in the United States still can't use them to a great degree because of the lack of 3G or better wireless coverage in their region. That includes part of Route 66, especially in the West. David Talbot of Technology Review wrote about … Continue reading Even parts of Route 66 need better cell-phone coverage
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.
A long-ago visit to Joe & Aggie’s
Take a look at this 1998 promotional spot by John Fugelsang for the Showtime channel's Free Weekend. Fugelsang visited Joe & Aggie's, a historic Route 66 restaurant in Holbrook, Ariz. Stan's barbershop is behind the restaurant. Showtime Route 66 Free Weekend with John Fugelsang from 99Tigers on Vimeo.
Spin to win
This isn't your father's slot machine: https://youtu.be/caOtzUVmLJg Apparently this "Rollin' on Route 66" game is coming to a casino near you, if you're into that sort of thing. It was developed by Incredible Technologies Inc.: Symbols range from classic gas pumps to roadside attractions and grouped wilds. But it wouldn't be worthy of the popular … Continue reading Spin to win
Early owner of 66 Bowl dies
Wiley Bell, one of the founders of the now-closed 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City, died at age 95 about a week ago, according to an obituary in The Oklahoman newspaper. The bowling alley sat along original Route 66, which is now known as NW 39 Expressway. Bell was manager of 66 Bowl from 1964 through … Continue reading Early owner of 66 Bowl dies
Joliet bridge repairs will be done by Thanksgiving
https://youtu.be/V5qE1wAf480 Repairs to the historic Ruby Street Bridge that carried Route 66 over the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Ill., will be completed by the Thanksgiving holiday, reported the Romeoville Patch news site. The Patch, talking to an Illinois Department of Transportation engineer, said: The bridge closed in mid-July, and it was expected the work would take four … Continue reading Joliet bridge repairs will be done by Thanksgiving
Catsup Bottle will be honored by Landmarks Illinois
The World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Ill., will be given a 2012 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for advocacy from Landmarks Illinois later this month. The nine awards will be presented at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the InterContinental Chicago hotel at 505 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. A list of the 2012 … Continue reading Catsup Bottle will be honored by Landmarks Illinois
A ride on Radiator Springs Racers
If you're not able to check out the Radiator Springs Racers ride, this video will be the next-best thing. The interesting thing is the videographer filmed in both sides of the ride. Each side contains unique characteristics, and it couldn't have been easy to get all that footage when wait times have reportedly been as … Continue reading A ride on Radiator Springs Racers
Part of “East Meets West” sculpture arrives
One part of the large "East Meets West" sculpture arrived Saturday at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa. This part of the bronze depicts a Ford driven by Cyrus Avery with his wife, daughter, and the family cat. Avery, who is known as the Father of Route 66, is getting out of the car … Continue reading Part of “East Meets West” sculpture arrives
A TV reporter’s takes on Route 66
In recent days, Mark Rivera, a reporter for WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill., has posted on YouTube a few of his Route 66-related stories from central Illinois. They're all pretty good. The first is Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield: https://youtu.be/kLpM0m43tnw Next is the Palms Grill in Atlanta, Ill.: https://youtu.be/7gYG8BvP0w8 And finally is Funks Grove … Continue reading A TV reporter’s takes on Route 66
Chuck Surface, a Route 66 booster in Carthage and Webb City, dies
Chuck Surface, a former Missouri state lawmaker and an economic development director for Webb City, died Wednesday of cancer at age 68, according to the Joplin Globe. Surface was instrumental in converting a long-closed gas station on Route 66 in Webb City into a visitors center. He also sought to put a roadside park dedicated … Continue reading Chuck Surface, a Route 66 booster in Carthage and Webb City, dies