The research materials of late Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark recently were donated to the Tulsa branch of Oklahoma State University. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post that Clark's papers were given by her family to the association several years ago. With the donation to OSU-Tulsa, the papers are now … Continue reading Papers of Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark are donated to OSU-Tulsa
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.
Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
The Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau recently began a "Main Street of America" video series. The first video, which dropped in the last few days, features Doc's Just Off 66 soda fountain and restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois. The video's hosts, Kevin and Emily, are understandably agog at the historic memorabilia on display at … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
Couple acquires John’s Modern Cabins, Vernelle’s Motel in Missouri
A couple with close family ties to the shuttered Vernelle's Motel near Newburg, Missouri, also recently acquired the long-closed John's Modern Cabins property next door. They plan to convert the Vernelle's property into an RV park, using the now-abandoned Interstate 44 / Route 66 roadbed, and rename it Vernelle's Route 66 RV Park & Campground. … Continue reading Couple acquires John’s Modern Cabins, Vernelle’s Motel in Missouri
Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges
Three people associated with the Oklahoma-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q chain, including the owner, were indicted by a multicounty grand jury on fraud charges over its operation of restaurants at state parks. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, restaurant owner Brent Swadley and two other company officers were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the state … Continue reading Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges
Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain
The fate of the distinctive sign for the now-demolished Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, remains uncertain, though the city manager said its likely home still would be the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, city manager Robert Johnston said he was hopeful the Glancy … Continue reading Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain
Tally’s Good Food Cafe owner pleads guilty to six criminal counts
The owner of Tally's Good Food Cafe in Tulsa pleaded guilty to six counts of felony larceny on Thursday, and he will be sentenced next month. Fox23 in Tulsa reported it is a blind plea, which means he is pleading guilty to the charges without the benefit of a plea deal. It gives the judge … Continue reading Tally’s Good Food Cafe owner pleads guilty to six criminal counts
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
A nonprofit community group has purchased the endangered and historic water tower of McLean, Illinois, for $1. It will repaint the structure and hire an artist to paint a mural on it. The purchase reverses a 4-2 vote by the village board in November to tear the water tower down for almost $34,000. The village … Continue reading Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
European Route 66 Festival resumes later this year after a six-year hiatus
The European Route 66 Festival will resume late this summer in Prague, Czech Republic, after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will be from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 on exhibition grounds in the Czech capital. Zdenek Jurasek of the Czech Route 66 Association recently announced the resumption of the festival. … Continue reading European Route 66 Festival resumes later this year after a six-year hiatus
Oklahoma Route 66 Association puts 30 years of newsletters in online archive
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it had placed about 30 years of its quarterly newsletters on an online archive, including its very first issue in 1990. Association President Rhys Martin stated the archive provides "a window into the past to show how far we’ve come.” The newsletters chart the ups and downs over … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association puts 30 years of newsletters in online archive