The Edmond (Okla.) Sun has a story about the history of a long-defunct Conoco gas station on Route 66 between Luther and Arcadia, Okla. The station dates to 1926 -- the very beginnings of Route 66. It also has a less-than-sedate past: Unsolved mystery looms there where the body of a murdered man was found … Continue reading Old station keeps holding on
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.
A self-correcting situation
I saw this story, "Disappearing Fast: Route 66, Chicago-Los Angeles," on the Los Angeles Times' Daily Travel Deal Blog a few days ago, but didn't plug it here because it contained some inaccuracies. The story makes it sound like Route 66 is going to quickly disappear after the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program sunsets in … Continue reading A self-correcting situation
Report from the festival
Brent Weber of KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City interviewed Michael Wallis and Emily at the beautification project for the former Ray's Motel in Clinton, Okla., during the recent National Route 66 Festival.
Gunfight at Oatman
OK, not really. But every day at 1:30 p.m., Old West gunfighters do a show on Route 66 in Oatman, Ariz. As this video shows, it's all pretty tongue-in-cheek and done for entertainment instead of historical re-enactment. The sound quality of the video is erratic, but it's almost as good as being there if you … Continue reading Gunfight at Oatman
Cozy Dog featured on Rand McNally guide
The Cozy Dog Drive-In restaurant, a landmark on Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., is listed as a "can't miss" stop in the Rand McNally Midwest Getaway Guide, published this month. According to the news release: Cozy Dog Drive In, locally owned and operated since 1946, has been a Route 66 attraction drawing travelers from around … Continue reading Cozy Dog featured on Rand McNally guide
Asleep at the Wheel not feeling drowsy
Last year, I had a YouTube video of Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel performing Bobby Troup's "Route 66." YouTube took it down some months ago, but a new one has been posted. Check it out:
Keep that bridge open
The historic bridge that takes an older alignment of Route 66 into Devil's Elbow, Mo., needs repairs. Without it, many residents of the town would have to drive miles out of their way. This sounds like a slamdunk for state road assistance. But the Waynesville (Mo.) Daily Guide says the county isn't taking chances: Pulaski … Continue reading Keep that bridge open
Hear Michael Wallis’ keynote speech
If you missed author Michael Wallis' keynote speech at the National Route 66 Festival in Clinton, Okla., last week, you can listen to it on this page. The QuickTime sound file is about 33 minutes. Rod Harsh at Route66TVonline.com and Visit66.com recorded it. Harsh also has a bunch of photos from the festival.
Kit-Kat Klocks marks 75th anniversary with tour
I missed the beginning of this event, but Kit-Kat Klocks is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a Route 66 tour, joining with the Great All-American Road Show, from Los Angeles to Chicago. The tour includes a display of the world's largest Kit-Kat Klock, which is 75 inches tall (shown above). The group stopped by Thursday … Continue reading Kit-Kat Klocks marks 75th anniversary with tour
Saving Old Two Spot
The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff tells about how Malcolm Mackey and others saved a 1911 steam engine locomotive, nicknamed Old Two Spot, that now sits at the town's historic railroad depot. "It was kind of the town mascot because it had a whistle that was recognizable," said Mackey, 80, who still lives in the … Continue reading Saving Old Two Spot