Here's a story by OETA about volunteers working to restore a 1951 caboose. The caboose eventually will be placed next to a vintage Frisco steam train at the Heritage Park-Route 66 Station in southwest Tulsa.
Author: Ron Warnick
Rock Cafe returns to full service
The media was out in full force Friday for the Rock Cafe's first day of full food service since a fire nearly destroyed the historic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, Okla., a year ago. Here's a story by KOTV in Tulsa. Here's an Associated Press story. Here's another from BAM's Blog, via the Daily Oklahoman. … Continue reading Rock Cafe returns to full service
Old Joplin golf course gets a face-lift
Schifferdecker Municipal Golf Course of Joplin, Mo., which is right off the Mother Road and even predates the highway, recently underwent extensive renovations, reported the Joplin Globe. Mayor Gary Shaw said the course is known as a historic one because it opened in 1922 alongside what became Route 66. “Schifferdecker is a bargain” in the … Continue reading Old Joplin golf course gets a face-lift
Albuquerque motel demolished
The Economy Inn in Albuquerque, formerly the Trade Winds Motel, was torn down Friday after becoming a chronic nuisance, reported KOB-TV. The station reported that the old Route 66 motel was a "a haven for drug dealers, prostitutes and other shady people." Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said Friday, " In my 27 years in … Continue reading Albuquerque motel demolished
“Route 66” producer dies
Mort Abrahams, a producer for the "Route 66" television show during the 1960s, died of natural causes at age 93 at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif., reported the Hollywood Reporter. Abrahams was reportedly the show's producer in 1962-63. According to the IMDB.com, he produced the acclaimed episode, "Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing," in which … Continue reading “Route 66” producer dies
Notes from the road
We learned Thursday that longtime roadie Jeff Meyer, aka the Route 66 Roadologist, is in the hospital after having health problems earlier in the week, and he is undergoing tests. Meyer has been exploring Route 66 for more than two decades, is a founding member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, and was given the … Continue reading Notes from the road
Route 66 Pulse update
Bob "Crocodile" Lile and I have been exchanging e-mails about the resurrection of the Route 66 Pulse newspaper, which ceased publication in August 2008 after nearly two years of steep financial losses. As sales manager, he provided a few details about the efforts to revive the newspaper: Printing of the first issue of the revived … Continue reading Route 66 Pulse update
Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
The expansion of a parcel map for the El Garces rehabilitation project in Needles, Calif., was approved by the city's planning department, reported the Needles Desert Star. El Garces is a long-abandoned Harvey House that Alan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., is working to restore. El Garces, when it is restored, … Continue reading Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
In the Mother Road mood
Here's a good video from a YouTube poster from Norway.
More about the historic stretch near Springfield
Route 66 News was the first to have this story a few days ago, but the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register has elaborated about an old stretch of Route 66 south of Lake Springfield being designated to the National Register of Historic Places. According to the nomination, the Springfield road was typical of two-lane, access highways in … Continue reading More about the historic stretch near Springfield