Ken Selby, who started what turned into the Mazzio's pizza chain in 1961 on Route 66 in Tulsa, died of lung cancer Saturday at age 73, according to several Tulsa media sources, including the Tulsa World. Selby opened his first pizza restaurant at 11th Street (aka Route 66) near Harvard Avenue in Tulsa. It soon … Continue reading Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies
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.
Historic Route 66 church being moved to winery
The bad news is preservationists' efforts to keep a historic stone church in the Rock Hill, Mo., area were stymied. The good news is that the church will be reassembled at winery in Warren County, Mo. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, preservationists wanted to move the 1845 Rock Hill Presbyterian Church and adjacent Fairfax … Continue reading Historic Route 66 church being moved to winery
The finished 3-D sidewalk mural in Pontiac
During the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival in Pontiac, airbrush artist Tang Dongbai spent the weekend painting a three-dimensional sidewalk mural downtown. Here's the finished product: He finished the mural last Monday, but the artwork was barricaded for two more days until the paint cured. I believe one of the fish in the painting … Continue reading The finished 3-D sidewalk mural in Pontiac
Hello from Dallas
Here's a nifty arrangement of Nelson Riddle's "Route 66" by Reverend Organdrum, a three-piece band in Dallas. Riddle initially composed this for the "Route 66" television program. https://youtu.be/GtXWn3JoMcI Try not to be too distracted by the video's pinup models.
Monroe’s Diner reopens as a Cajun restaurant
The old Monroe's Diner building, a landmark on Route 66 in Pacific, Mo., that was shuttered for years, recently reopened as the Down South Cafe. Monroe's is known for its stone facade, attached to a Quonset hut structure (photo here). It was built in the 1940s, and closed a few years ago. Its location is … Continue reading Monroe’s Diner reopens as a Cajun restaurant
Sapulpa drive-in theater may reopen by summer
A Florida-based company is set to reopen the long-closed Tee Pee Drive-In theater along the Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66 in Sapulpa, Okla., reported the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The newspaper said: “I hope the town embraces it,” said Russell Glenn of Stars, LLC, the Florida company that restores historic American theaters. “It’s a good thing … Continue reading Sapulpa drive-in theater may reopen by summer
Hagerty Insurance’s journey on Route 66
Hagerty, an insurer of classic cars, recently completed a 2,100-mile journey on Route 66 from Arizona in a couple of rickety rides. Here's the company's slide show and commentary about the journey: https://youtu.be/k3sT_wrZm9s Despite many breakdowns, it seems the Hagerty folks had a good time. An index of Hagerty's reports from the Mother Road can … Continue reading Hagerty Insurance’s journey on Route 66
Bing and the Andrews Sisters take a trip
Here's a new video with a 1946 version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters. It also includes Vic Schoen & His Orchestra. https://youtu.be/FJ4GBrnRBic The clip contains a lot of vintage footage, including from the "Route 66" television program of the early 1960s.
A history of Ann’s Chicken Fry House
Here's a video interview of Al Burchett, longtime owner of Ann's Chicken Fry House in Oklahoma City. https://youtu.be/hGe3o0msb_w Al talks a lot about the restaurant's 40-year history, including its Route 66 connection. As he explains, he's one of the first in the region to use the Mother Road as a selling point.
Sculpture will be installed at Tulsa’s Avery Plaza this summer
The much-delayed "East Meets West" sculpture will finally be installed later this summer at Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa, reported the Tulsa World. The City Council heard an update this week on the $1.2 million Vision 2025 project, which likely will have its official unveiling in October after it arrives and is assembled, and … Continue reading Sculpture will be installed at Tulsa’s Avery Plaza this summer