Discover Oklahoma uploaded this video a few days ago exploring the historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma. https://youtu.be/A8ycNsbt8uw I'm glad to see Mr. Sam make a prominent appearance. The historic sites are important to Route 66, but so are the colorful characters who inhabit it. The Round Barn was built in 1898 by William Odor. … Continue reading A closer look at the Round Barn
Category: Attractions
El Garces now open for tours
El Garces, the former Harvey House in Needles, California, now is open for guided tours after a long and expensive rehabilitation in recent years. A reader passed along a new flyer that advertises tours for $5 per person. All money goes toward maintenance of El Garces. One may schedule tours by calling 760-326-2344 and asking … Continue reading El Garces now open for tours
Route 66 remains a big draw in Kingman
In a story about Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, the Daily Miner newspaper unearthed some interesting data from a survey conducted in 2011. The story contains a lot of anecdotal information from owners of gas stations, restaurants and motels on Route 66's draw. But it's the survey that brings concrete numbers: A survey conducted in … Continue reading Route 66 remains a big draw in Kingman
Joplin installs new wayfarer signs
The City of Joplin, Missouri, on Friday unveiled one of a series of 37 new wayfarer signs to help guide travelers to attractions in the city. The first one is at 423 S. Range Line Road, according to the Joplin Globe. Joplin's stretch of the historic Route 66 highway will be marked by versions of … Continue reading Joplin installs new wayfarer signs
Senators reintroduce Mojave Trails National Monument proposal
Two U.S. senators from California have reintroduced the Mojave Trails National Monument proposal that would include Route 66 from west of Needles to just west of Ludlow, California. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Barbara Boxer, both Democrats, introduced the Mojave Trails part amid a sweeping bill that would include 1.6 million acres of desert under … Continue reading Senators reintroduce Mojave Trails National Monument proposal
POPS opening a location in north Oklahoma City
POPS, which quickly became a Route 66 landmark after its opening in Arcadia, Oklahoma, in 2007, will open another restaurant in the north Oklahoma City suburb of Nichols Hills, reported the Edmond Sun newspaper. The new POPS will be in Nichols Hills Plaza on Avondale Drive near Western Avenue and Northwest 63rd Street. It would … Continue reading POPS opening a location in north Oklahoma City
Santa Monica Pier laying claim to Popeye’s inspiration
Compelling evidence exists that the inspiration to the Popeye the Sailor Man cartoon was inspired by a real-life sailor who hung around the Santa Monica Pier in California, reported the Santa Monica Daily Press newspaper. Trouble is, a small town on the Mississippi River in Illinois that is the creator's hometown also makes a strong … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier laying claim to Popeye’s inspiration
‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
Barely three months after it was first installed, the New Mexico Department of Transportation will put new markings on the pavement of the "Singing Road" section of Route 66 east of Albuquerque because the old markings apparently have worn off. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque explains the problems involved with a set of rumble strips that allow … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
The city of Pacific, Missouri, has been awarded a $350,000 grant to help buy Lookout on Jensen’s Point off Route 66, reported the Washington Missourian. The St. Louis County Parks awarded the grant earlier this month. Pacific's parks and recreation department will use the landmark after the sale with longtime owner Wayne Winchester goes through. … Continue reading Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque
About a half-dozen new signs that join the Route 66 logo with a roadrunner will be installed in Albuquerque by the end of March, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. The road runner, incidentally, is the state bird of New Mexico. The mockup of the multipurpose directional sign, which is partly designed to direct tourists to attractions … Continue reading New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque