On behalf of the Old Route 66 Association of Texas, Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce gave a $500 check to the Joplin Salvation Army for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Mo. More than 150 people died and hundreds were injured in the May 22 twister, which destroyed a third of the town. … Continue reading Texas Route 66 group gives donation to Joplin tornado relief
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.
Springfield takes closer look at motel as museum
The city of Springfield, Ill., again is thinking about converting the ramshackle Bel-Aire Motel into a Route 66-themed visitors center and museum, reported the State Journal-Register today. Springfield is considering other options for the Sixth Street motel after a recent inspection uncovered fire, electrical, and structural code violations. Mayor Tim Davlin first proposed the idea of … Continue reading Springfield takes closer look at motel as museum
2011 cost-share grant awards announced
Today, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced the awarding of 10 cost-share grants to Route 66 property owners for the 2011 fiscal year. Here's the listing, straight from the agency: Route 66 Motel sign and roof rehabilitation, Kingman, Ariz. ($10,319 federal grant, $10,319 match by owner) -- The Route 66 Motel has been a welcoming … Continue reading 2011 cost-share grant awards announced
A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market
For an all-too-brief period, Terry Wrinkle resurrected Wrink's Market, the longtime Route 66 business in Lebanon, Mo., owned and operated by his late father Glenn Wrinkle. When Terry shut down the business in 2009, the future of the building looked cloudy. However, in recent weeks, the old Wrink's Market has found new life with D.C. … Continue reading A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market
Two-steppin’ back in time
Someone posted a newscast video from circa 1987 by the now-defunct KTSP-TV in Phoenix about Bert's Country Dancin', a place that held dances only on Saturday nights on old Route 66 between Hackberry and Valentine, Ariz. https://youtu.be/ukXZbnB5gPQ This site had a bit more information about Bert's: That was when Bert Denton, a retired cowboy and sometimes … Continue reading Two-steppin’ back in time
Route 66 Alliance update
Michael Wallis, chairman of the Route 66 Alliance, posted this video update over the weekend. You'll find a few tidbits of info on the clip, including donations to Harley and Annabelle Russell (aka The Mediocre Music Makers) during Annabelle's cancer battle, and a 2012 cross-country caravan to mark the opening of Cars Land at Disneyland … Continue reading Route 66 Alliance update
El Vado seen as catalyst for area redevelopment
It's vague on plans for the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque, but a city official indicated that preservation would be a priority in whatever redevelopment plan comes forward, according to a report this weekend in the Albuquerque Journal. Ben Ortega of the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is set to propose to the city council … Continue reading El Vado seen as catalyst for area redevelopment
Closed Silver Moon Lodge in Albuquerque is razed
The closed Silver Moon Lodge along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) near downtown Albuquerque was razed Thursday to make way for a planned grocery store, retail space, and apartments, reported KOB-TV. The motel, which dated to the 1950s, had been closed for several years. Longtime Route 66 roadie Mark Potter said back then, it was … Continue reading Closed Silver Moon Lodge in Albuquerque is razed
New 66-to-Cali structure dedicated
Dan Rice had been looking for moving his 66-to-Cali souvenir shack into something more permanent on the Santa Monica Pier. This week, the mayor of Santa Monica and other local dignitaries attended a ribbon-cutting Tuesday at the new, improved 66-to-Cali on the pier. Rice wrote in an email: The support we got from Santa Monica … Continue reading New 66-to-Cali structure dedicated
Motoring with the Motor City Madman
In this fascinating interview, Ted Nugent reveals that the Rolling Stones' version of "Route 66" inspired dozens of guitar riffs for his songs, then plays that Bobby Troup tune: https://vimeo.com/26352957 I'd always noted the resemblance. But the Motor City Madman confirmed it.