Fred & Red's Chili in Joplin, Missouri, will mark its 100th year in business with a vintage car show, giveaways and other events on Sept. 23. The number of restaurants on Route 66 that have hit the 100-year mark likely can be counted on one hand. Ike's Chili in Tulsa comes to mind, as do … Continue reading Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
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.
Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County each approved resolutions to improve an original stretch of Route 66 running south of the city before the highway's centennial in 2026. The Albuquerque Journal reported the efforts will involve Sunset Road and Isleta Boulevard, from Central Avenue to the Pueblo of Isleta. The two roads started as … Continue reading Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66
‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita
What is Massachusetts' loss apparently is Oklahoma Route 66's gain. The Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, recently acquired the so-called "Big Indian" that stood outside the Native and Himalayan Views, formerly the Big Indian Shop, for nearly 50 years in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. According to the Greenfield Recorder, the 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue was the subject … Continue reading ‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita
“CBS Saturday Morning” airs a feature about Threatt Filling Station preservation
"CBS Saturday Morning" yesterday aired a 4 1/2-minute segment about recent preservation efforts for the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. The camera crew caught up with volunteers from the Oklahoma Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Guthrie Job Corps and The Hope Crew when they were shoring up the century-old property in … Continue reading “CBS Saturday Morning” airs a feature about Threatt Filling Station preservation
Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Whisler's Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage, Missouri, this year has entered into the rarified air of marking its 70th anniversary. The eatery at 300 N. Garrison Ave. sits on an alignment of Route 66 on the north side of town, before it was decommissioned in that area in 1972. Joplin Globe food columnist Cheryle Finley recently … Continue reading Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs
The City of Albuquerque this week announced it is providing a total of $432,000 in grants to restore or renovate historic signs along its Central Avenue (aka Route 66). The city's Department of Arts and Culture and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency have developed a Sign Improvement Program for owners of historic signs who can restore … Continue reading Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs
President Biden designates new monument near Grand Canyon
President Joe Biden this week designated nearly 1 million acres as a new national monument near Grand Canyon National Park. The national monument will be called Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. "Baaj Nwaavjo" means "where tribes roam" in the native Havasupai language, and "I'tah Kukveni" means "our ancestral footprints" in the Hopi tribal … Continue reading President Biden designates new monument near Grand Canyon
Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Almost 80 years after he died, the remains of a World War II soldier will be interred this weekend at the historic Union Miners Cemetery just off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports Army Sgt. John W. Radanovich, 23, of nearby White City, Illinois, was slain by German forces in … Continue reading Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Granny Shaffer's Family Restaurant, which serves a popular dish from another historic restaurant in southwest Missouri, recently marked its 50th year in business in Joplin. The restaurant sits at 2728 N. Range Line Road, which is bypass U.S. 66 alignment from 1956 to 1972. According to the Joplin Globe: Pies, one of its top-selling items, … Continue reading Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance
The Clinton, Oklahoma, City Council a few days ago approved a demolition bid to tear down the Glancy Motel as expected, but not without hearing an earful from a few preservationists. The motel will make way for a new headquarters for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Accepting the demo bid was recommended just days before by … Continue reading Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance