A reporter from the Noblesville (Ind.) Daily Times stopped on Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma to visit Laurel Kane of Afton Station in Afton, the nearby Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park in Foyil, and the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Many media stories about the Mother Road become hugely expansive, to the point of being unwieldy. … Continue reading A spotlight on a small section of 66
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.
Andy Payne ran here
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier published a fascinating article about the Lincoln library's research into the 1928 Bunion Derby, the transcontinental footrace that went the length of Route 66. Oklahoma native Andy Payne, a previously unheralded runner, bested the talented field and took home a $25,000 prize. The library used Geoff Williams' excellent book, "C.C. Pyle's … Continue reading Andy Payne ran here
Update on Tulsa Route 66 projects
A Route 66er in Tulsa forwarded me a status report, dated Dec. 31, from Tulsa city employee Dennis Whitaker about the county's Route 66 projects. Most of the projects are being funded by a Vision 2025 sales tax. As you will see, several of the Route 66 projects are slated to be finished by summer. … Continue reading Update on Tulsa Route 66 projects
Route 66 Casino Hotel grand opening is Jan. 10
The Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque is set for a grand opening on Jan. 10. The casino's site is here, and the Route 66 connection is played up fairly significantly. The Pueblo of Laguna runs the casino. The site'ss 2008 Calendar Girls also contains a lot of vintage cars. In the June image, you'll … Continue reading Route 66 Casino Hotel grand opening is Jan. 10
Witmor Farms property to be redeveloped
The closed Witmor Farms Restaurant on Route 66 in Buckhorn, Mo., is set to be reopened and adjacent land redeveloped, reports the Waynesville Daily Guide. This tidbit was contained in a story about proposed annexation of the area by Waynesville. William J. Peach, a car dealer in Rolla, Mo., wants the annexation so the restaurant … Continue reading Witmor Farms property to be redeveloped
Windy City Road Warrior starts a blog
David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, knows about Route 66 and other historic roads in Chicago probably more than anyone. He has written a few books about the subject, and he also gives guided tours from time to time. Clark now has started a blog. Its mission statement is thus: To wage noble campaigns … Continue reading Windy City Road Warrior starts a blog
“Lay back … enjoy the show”
Sheryl Crow tells us that "Everyday is a Winding Road." And sometimes it's more fun that way.
Blue Whale cleanup
The half-dozen or so volunteers at the Oklahoma Route 66 Association's cleanup day at the Blue Whale of Catoosa found that a lot of the work had already been done by Tuesday morning. Trees surrounding the famous whale and pond lost many limbs during last month's severe ice storm. Many of the broken branches precariously … Continue reading Blue Whale cleanup
Big-bird-watching
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which once carried Route 66, near Granite City, Ill., will be the site of Eagle Days on Jan. 19-20, reports the Granite City Press-Record. It's an ideal time of year to see bald eagles along the Mississippi River. Planned this year is a slew of eagle exhibits, trained volunteers … Continue reading Big-bird-watching
Sounds of the Southwest
Calexico's sound captures the feel of the desert Southwest better than any band out there. It's as if an alt-rock band was merged with a mariachi group.