This is a video of Slaid Cleaves' recording of Fred Eaglesmith's song "White Rose" and Emily Priddy's collection of photographs of historic Route 66 gas stations. The story is about an old gas station in Eaglesmith's native Canada, but the story itself is quintessential small-town Route 66. The sound in the video wasn't supposed to … Continue reading “White Rose”
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.
Here’s your sign
Taking a cue from recent efforts by the nearby towns of Miami, Okla., and Galena, Kan., a city official for Webb City, Mo., is asking permission from state and federal highway officials to paint Route 66 shields on the road surface through several Jasper County towns to help guide travelers. From the Carthage (Mo.) Press: … Continue reading Here’s your sign
Cadillac Ranch goes Down Under
Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas, has inspired a number of imitations in recent years. First, you have Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas. Then there was Combine City in rural Amarillo. Then there was Airstream Ranch in Dover, Fla. Now, according to The Land farming magazine, a fellow in Australia is using old utility vehicles, or … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch goes Down Under
Countryside to develop town center
Countryside, Ill., has big plans for the future -- a mixed-use town center along LaGrange Road, aka Route 66. From the Suburban Life News: Located on historic Route 66, the new center will be surrounded by pedestrian sidewalks along the new streetscape of La Grange Road. The Town Center will serve as a gateway to … Continue reading Countryside to develop town center
Rod’s Grill continues to take a stand
The Arcadia (Calif.) Weekly has a follow-up story about the saga between Rod's Grill, a longtime Route 66 restaurant in Arcadia, and a nearby Mercedes-Benz dealership that wants the property for an expansion. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz wanted the city to seize Rod's Grill. The owner of the restaurant has refused to negotiate with the city "on … Continue reading Rod’s Grill continues to take a stand
The story of Budville, Part 2
This is the second part of the history of Budville, N.M., published in the Valencia County News-Bulletin. The second installment focuses on the sensational trial of the man accused of killing Budville trading post owner Bud Rice and Rice's part-time employee. It's a extremely well-written account, and you'll find there aren't a lot of white … Continue reading The story of Budville, Part 2
Tallest mural on Route 66?
I'm a bit dubious about the claims being made in Davenport, Okla. But regardless, the new, 32-foot-tall mural at Main and Broadway streets there is impressive. It was painted by Palmer Studios Inc. From the Shawnee News-Star: The painting, on the outside south wall of the building, depicts a handful of images related to Davenport’s … Continue reading Tallest mural on Route 66?
Road bandits
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph published a story about the Cattle Bandits, a country-rock band that's opening a show for country star John Anderson at the McLean County Fair tomorrow night. The Cattle Bandits' soon-to-be-released CD, "Homegrown," contains a few Route 66 references. That's the case as the style runs from the country of "Beaches of … Continue reading Road bandits
When the going gets weird …
A few weeks ago, an Italian film crew dressed in superhero costumes was traveling down Route 66 for a twisted documentary called "Roast to Coast." The San Bernardino County Sun reported: The four, with cameras in hand, are asking anyone they encounter to either kiss or lick a 10-pound roast they are hauling on their … Continue reading When the going gets weird …
Obama stops at Route 66 restaurant
Two weeks ago, it was Republican presidential candidate John McCain stopping at a Route 66 icon, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis. Today, it was Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama stopping at a historic Route 66 restaurant in Lebanon, Mo., according to KY3-TV in Springfield. On his way to Rolla, Obama’s campaign bus took … Continue reading Obama stops at Route 66 restaurant