Pacific’s 70-year Christmas tradition began as a prank

Right before Thanksgiving, members of the local Lions Club raised 14 lines of lights to create a Christmas tree on the top of the bluff on Blackburn Park, next to Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri. It's been a tradition in Pacific for many years. A recent article in the Washington Missourian illustrates it's not only … Continue reading Pacific’s 70-year Christmas tradition began as a prank

Poll: What are the top 10 icons of Route 66?

If you ever find yourself asked the question -- "What are the top stops on Route 66?" -- you'll probably find it very difficult to compile a short list because the number is so vast. Or you'll find yourself making a different list depending on the day, simply because of random memory variations in the … Continue reading Poll: What are the top 10 icons of Route 66?

Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures

Willem Bor, a roadie from the Netherlands who's been building detailed scale models of Route 66 landmarks, has made a few more in recent months as gifts to fellow Mother Road fans. The first is a miniature of the ruins of the Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. He gave the model to Route … Continue reading Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures

Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project

A Native American tourism group and the National Park Service will meet in New Mexico later this month to formally launch the "American Indians and Route 66" project, reported Indian Country Today. The initial meeting of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is set for Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. Tribal lands and … Continue reading Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project

Route 66 — a jobs creator

During a formal introduction Wednesday of the logo for the new Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois -- which we already reported months ago -- local officials revealed some eyebrow-raising statistics about the economic value of the Mother Road. Bloomington, which long seemed indifferent to Route 66 for years, suddenly has embraced it. And … Continue reading Route 66 — a jobs creator

City of Pacific may buy scenic lookout

The City of Pacific, Missouri, moved to enter into a contract to buy the Lookout on Jensen's Point off Route 66, reported the Washington Missourian. The owner, Wayne Winchester, has set a price of $300,000 for the iconic stone structure of the lookout, 2 1/2 acres and a nearby parking lot. The city hopes to … Continue reading City of Pacific may buy scenic lookout

New public service announcement about Route 66

This video landed in my email inbox this week. It aims to promote travel on Route 66: https://youtu.be/bF2bkDnTGEI And this message: This project has been in the planning stages by the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce for over two years, and this is the first of several PSAs that will target the U.S., but will … Continue reading New public service announcement about Route 66

Albuquerque adopts Route 66 Action Plan

The Albuquerque City Council unanimously ratified Mayor Richard Berry's Route 66 Action Plan for a 15-mile stretch of Central Avenue in the city, reported the Associated Press and other media outlets. The plan comes with infrastructure improvements, tourism additions and historical preservation, among other things. You can read a summary of the plan here, but … Continue reading Albuquerque adopts Route 66 Action Plan

Senator may urge Obama to make Mojave a monument

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) may ask President Obama to create two national monuments in California's Mojave Desert, including one that includes a stretch of Route 66, reported the Los Angeles Times. Feinstein said Monday she wants to break a logjam of interests that stalled two previous bills to create the two protected zones, the largest … Continue reading Senator may urge Obama to make Mojave a monument

Los Angeles station gives major time to Route 66

KABC, the major affiliate of ABC in Los Angeles, in recent days gave a lot of time examining Route 66 in the region in its "Eye on L.A." show. Here is the San Bernardino to San Gabriel Valley segment: Monrovia to South Pasadena: The Arroyo Seco to downtown segment: West Hollywood to the end of … Continue reading Los Angeles station gives major time to Route 66