Oklahoma resident Tim Dye's collection of vintage Pontiac vehicles is set to arrive the morning of May 5 at the new Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center in Pontiac, Ill., according to a news release today from Pontiac Tourism. One semi-load of cars that will be displayed at the museum at 205 N. Mill St. in … Continue reading Pontiacs arriving in Pontiac in early May
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.
Schifferdecker Park in 1959
Ace Jackalope, one of our favorite bloggers, posted this neat little find on YouTube -- footage of Schifferdecker Park's amusement park in 1959. Schifferdecker Park is on the west side of Joplin, Mo., and has always been next to Route 66. https://youtu.be/QUdfIVicH9U Ace explains the video: Tinker Town was a children's amusement park in the … Continue reading Schifferdecker Park in 1959
Putting their best clip forward
This video about the Route 66 town of Elk City, Okla., does a good job telling potential tourists about the city's strengths: https://youtu.be/wJKM-xWwhWM Expect smart chambers of commerce to do a lot more of this in the future.
Maybe that’s not a good idea
The Route 66 town of Depew, Okla., is considering the annexation of 107 acres of land west of town that includes Charlie Elliott's Route 66 Biker Park, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. A public hearing on the proposal will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Depew Town Hall. Three of the … Continue reading Maybe that’s not a good idea
Needles jumps onto the murals movement
It looks like Needles, Calif., is the latest to use murals to beautify a Route 66 town and draw in tourists. According to the Needles Desert Star, artist Dan Luden of nearby Chloride, Ariz., has completed murals at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, Best Western Colorado River Inn, Gus' Really Good Jerky building, and a Chevron … Continue reading Needles jumps onto the murals movement
More teaser clips from KY3’s Route 66 special
KY3, a television station based in Springfield, Mo., has posted short clips from its upcoming one-hour special about Route 66 in the Missouri Ozarks. https://youtu.be/Ovp1pVE387o https://youtu.be/-zLfBoo8Y2g https://youtu.be/1g6E_7mFXvY More KY3 clips can be viewed here. The special will air at 7 p.m. Friday, and will be posted on the Internet at a later date.
Local officials keep closer watch on Luna Cafe
A few weeks ago, a woman was shot in the right ear during karaoke night at the historic Luna Cafe, along old Route 66 in Mitchell, Ill. I didn't take much note of it, thinking it was random violence. However, this report in the Edwardsville Intelligencer indicates the Luna may be attracting a nastier clientele. … Continue reading Local officials keep closer watch on Luna Cafe
A note from the past
Greene HD Productions has posted another episode of "Route 66: The Marathon Tour." This one, which starts in Chicago, is going to be bittersweet for a many longtime roadies. First, it contains an interview with Zora Vidas, longtime owner of the historic Wishing Well Motel in Countryside, Ill. Vidas died a few years ago, and … Continue reading A note from the past
Billy Connolly hits the Mother Road
Some months ago, we reported that Scottish actor and comedian Billy Connolly would be traveling Route 66 sometime in 2011 with a film crew in tow for a four-part television travel series. The working title is "Billy Connolly's Route 66." Today, we received word that Connolly showed up in Pontiac, Ill. According to Ellie Alexander of Pontiac Tourism: While … Continue reading Billy Connolly hits the Mother Road
Precarious position for Grand Canyon Skywalk
Although the view from the Grand Canyon Skywalk contains spectacular views, the view behind the scenes is anything but serene, according to the New York Times. In case you're unfamiliar, Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped superstructure with a glass floor that extends about 70 feet over the edge of the Grand Canyon. The video below will … Continue reading Precarious position for Grand Canyon Skywalk