Someone has posted the trailer for the award-winning documentary "Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel," which tells the history of the greatly missed Coral Court Motel on Route 66 in the St. Louis suburb of Malborough, Mo. The film was directed by Bill Boll and Shellee Graham. I don't think the film is on … Continue reading Coral Court film trailer
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.
Senior Hall of Fame inductee has Mother Road connection
One of this year's inductees to the Illinois Seniors Hall of Fame has a connection to Route 66. That inductee is Betty Estes of Pontiac, who founded the town's tourism department and was its first tourism director, according to the Ottawa (Ill.) Times. And then there's this: She also helped develop the Red Carpet Corridor, … Continue reading Senior Hall of Fame inductee has Mother Road connection
DIY festival
Merchants along Sixth Street, aka Route 66, in Amarillo, Texas, have long been waiting for the city to do something about revitalization. They got tired of waiting. The Route 66 Business Association and San Jacinto Christian Academy teamed up to create the first annual Historic Route 66 Fall Festival on Oct. 6, reports The Ranger, … Continue reading DIY festival
Route 66 bridge near Galena needs repairs
The Front Street Bridge, which carries an old alignment of Route 66 into downtown Galena, Kan., was recently downgraded in its load limit from 20 to 10 tons. I was told the weight limit on the bridge, which essentially is a railroad overpass, was dropped because of problems with one of the support pillars. Last … Continue reading Route 66 bridge near Galena needs repairs
Adopt a brick, help the Triangle Motel
The folks who are trying to renovate the previously long-neglected Triangle Motel on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, have launched a new fundraiser. You can adopt a brick on the motel complex's south wall on Triangle Drive, which is an older alignment of Route 66, for $15 apiece. Certificates will be mailed to adoptees. Proceeds … Continue reading Adopt a brick, help the Triangle Motel
“Cars Land” will be part of Disney park
Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday it is planning a major revamp of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., including a "Cars Land" inspired by last summer's "Cars" movie. Here are the details about Cars Land: The expansion will culminate with an entirely new, 12-acre addition: Cars Land, immersing guests into a world inspired by the hit Disney/Pixar … Continue reading “Cars Land” will be part of Disney park
Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Lately, I'd been getting e-mails from Illinois Route 66ers, telling me there was grave activity occurring at the historic Wishing Well Motel on Route 66 in the Chicago suburb of Countryside, Ill. One observer said the motel's electrical meters and water main had been removed. Others had reported that fencing had been erected around the … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
I found this LiveJournal item, via Duke City Fix, that passes on distressing news about an Albuquerque motel on Central Avenue (aka Route 66): The Central Park Deli and Silver Moon Lodge, (aka "Grand Western Motor Inn") Built in 1953 is closing Oct 15 2007. This 1950's era motel and restaurant is a prime example … Continue reading UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
A high-speed drive on Oatman Road
Relax, it's not a real-time video. YouTube poster SpeedyYellow has uploaded footage of a drive on Oatman Road, aka Route 66, just west of Kingman, Ariz., to the small town of Oatman in the Black Mountains. The footage runs at double speed "so you don't have to sit here all day," the poster writes. The … Continue reading A high-speed drive on Oatman Road
Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that federal EPA and state officials are looking at ways to reuse abandoned gas stations along Route 66 into productive businesses. The discussion took place in Galena, Kan. Doyle said a survey found 45 abandoned gas stations along Route 66 from St. Louis, Mo., to Baxter Springs. He said there … Continue reading Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations