If you've never walked on what is now a pedestrian and bicycle trail on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects Madison, Ill., over the Mississippi River to St. Louis, these two videos by the same person should suffice for now. The bridge was a part of Route 66 for decades. The second video … Continue reading View from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
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.
Town will receive historical certification
The active Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., will receive another feather in its cap -- the National Park Service is set to certify it for its historic preservation, reports the Lincoln Courier. It would be the 61st city in Illinois to receive this certification, which opens it up for preservation grants and other aid. … Continue reading Town will receive historical certification
Tulsa project wins grant for observation deck
About $400,000 in Oklahoma Centennial funds will be used to help build the Red Fork Derrick observation deck at the Route 66 Station park in west Tulsa, reports the Tulsa World. The replica of the Tulsa County's first oil well will reportedly be as high at 150 feet tall. However, other reports indicate it will … Continue reading Tulsa project wins grant for observation deck
Double your book fun
The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday is featuring not one, but two Route 66 authors from 2 to 4 p.m. Dave Clark's recently published "Route 66 in Chicago," and John and Lenore Weiss' new "Traveling the Historic Three," a guidebook about the Lincoln Highway, Dixie Highway and Route 66 in the Chicago area, each … Continue reading Double your book fun
Wigwam Motel is among world’s quirkiest
The TripAdvisor travel community released its list of the world's quirkiest motels, and a Route 66 establishment made the top 10. At the No. 9 slot is the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz.: Its second year on the top ten quirky hotel list and with a unique price to match, the Wigwam Motel is a … Continue reading Wigwam Motel is among world’s quirkiest
County can take over Route 66 police station
The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation on Thursday that gives Livingston County the option to take over ownership of the old Illinois State Police headquarters on old Route 66 near Pontiac. The county has the option to pay $10 for the unique gun-shaped building, built in 1941, and the land. … Continue reading County can take over Route 66 police station
Who will own Red Rock Park?
The Gallup (N.M.) Independent published a fascinating story about future-ownership controversy over nearby Red Rock Park. The city owns the park, which hosts the popular Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial and other events each year. But maintaining the park has put a strain on the city's budget -- and Red Rock needs millions of dollars more … Continue reading Who will own Red Rock Park?
Filling the holes
It wasn't long ago that if one wanted to find historic Route 66, vintage maps, old-timers and make plenty of guesses were required. Now there are maps and guidebooks. Realizing that Route 66 was a tourist attraction, states for the most part installed enough road signs to direct novice travelers. However, there are stretches of … Continue reading Filling the holes
What’s cooking at Boot Hill?
Here in Oklahoma, I haven't been able to go to Vega, Texas, and check out Rory Schepisi's recently opened Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66. However, the Amarillo Globe-News visited, and published a story about it Tuesday (free registration required). Some tidbits from the well-rounded article: Schepisi is considering opening another restaurant, in … Continue reading What’s cooking at Boot Hill?
Wallis and Colbert
Author Michael Wallis was on the Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" last week to plug his new book, "The Lincoln Highway." Here is the video clip of the interview: Wallis also is well-known for the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and mentions ol' 66 during the bantering. UPDATE 8/23/07: YouTube removed the video because … Continue reading Wallis and Colbert