Vintage Roadside, an apparel company that features retro artwork from defunct roadside businesses of the 1930s to '60s, is providing free one-year memberships to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for every T-shirt it sells. Most of Vintage Roadside's shirts run $20 apiece. The National Trust membership's value is $20. As the news release says: … Continue reading Buy a T-shirt, get a membership
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.
Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
There are certain authors who have such a good track record, you know their books are good even before you pick them up. Michael Karl Witzel is on that short list. He's written books about drive-in theaters, drive-in restaurants, gas stations, diners, Americana and barns. "Route 66 Remembered" remains a classic of the Mother Road … Continue reading Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
The best checklist for “Cars” toys
I've long quit trying to keep up with all the die-cast toys Mattel has released since the release of the Disney/Pixar film "Cars" in June 2006. But this entry in the 2 a Day blog has done a better job of keeping track than any I've seen. He says there are now more than 80 … Continue reading The best checklist for “Cars” toys
Listen, don’t watch
This version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by the 1970s pub rock band The Count Bishops, is aces. However, I wish the video maker would have limited the double- and triple-vision effects to a few seconds, instead of the whole video. It looks like the Mother Road after a five-day bender. Sigh.
Veterans Day tribute
Here's our tribute to the soldiers from Route 66 towns who've died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004 Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004 Sgt. Sirlou … Continue reading Veterans Day tribute
Parking lot closed near Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
I was afraid this might happen, and it appears my fears were realized. The St. Clair County Journal in Illinois reports that the parking lot on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was closed by Trailnet a few days ago. The pedestrian bridge, which once carried Route 66 over the Mississippi … Continue reading Parking lot closed near Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
All for the sake of the punchline
KOB-TV reports that a couple driving from Grants, N.M., to Albuquerque pulled into the parking lot of the Route 66 Casino because the woman was going into labor. With the help of a police dispatcher on the other end of the phone line, the father helped his wife deliver the baby right there. Mother and … Continue reading All for the sake of the punchline
Route 66 museum coming to Carthage courthouse
This has been in the works for a while, but appears a Route 66 museum will be installed at the historic Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage, Mo., by sometime next year, according to the Carthage Press. Eric Kellstadt, senior transportation planner with the Joplin office of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said MoDOT auditors and … Continue reading Route 66 museum coming to Carthage courthouse
Headless body found in tow truck
Route 66 News usually doesn't post news about murders, shootings and other run-of-the-mill police matters along the Mother Road. But this incident on Route 66 in Pontiac, Ill., is too bizarre to ignore. From the Bloomington Pantagraph: PONTIAC -- No foul play is suspected in the death of a 54-year-old man whose decapitated body was … Continue reading Headless body found in tow truck
An interesting idea
The Urban Land Institute gave the city of San Bernardino, Calif., some suggestions on how to revitalize its downtown. The suggestions ran the gamut of more green spaces, denser development and mixed use of residential, retail and office development, among other ideas. Not all of the city's aldermen agreed, and provided the San Bernardino County … Continue reading An interesting idea