New wind farm will be built west of Adrian

EDF Renewable Energy, a French company, will build a wind farm for electrical energy west of Adrian, Texas, along the Route 66 corridor, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. The turbines of Spinning Spur 3 will be on 18,000 acres and stretch from Adrian to the edge of the Caprock where Interstate 40 drops west toward New … Continue reading New wind farm will be built west of Adrian

“American Giants,” Episode 8

Here is the eighth episode of Joel Baker's ongoing "American Giants" series about roadside fiberglass giants, also known as Muffler Men. https://youtu.be/nHZekubninc This episode covers the last of the Muffler Men in Chicago, including one extensively modified into a Frankenstein monster. Baker told me that the next episode will take place in Dodge City, Kan.

New sex-abuse lawsuit filed against Stanley Marsh 3

Seven anonymous men have filed a new lawsuit alleging sex abuse by Stanley Marsh 3, the proprietor of the Cadillac Ranch landmark and other whimsical art projects in the Amarillo area, reported the Amarillo Globe-News on Monday. The suit alleges that between November 2009 and June 2011 Marsh 3 enticed the teens with cash or … Continue reading New sex-abuse lawsuit filed against Stanley Marsh 3

Corvette arrives for Joplin mural park

A red 1964 Chevrolet Corvette -- or half of one, anyway -- recently arrived in Joplin, Mo., to be installed as part of a photo-op at the Route 66 Mural Park in downtown. According to a news release from the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau: Final dedication of the finished park will be held in … Continue reading Corvette arrives for Joplin mural park

Groups seek Route 66 Art Trail in New Mexico

Two groups may join forces to seek a state grant to help set up a Route 66 Art Trail in central New Mexico, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Officials from RETRO-Relive the Route, which aims to revitalize 25 miles of Route 66 between Tijeras and Moriarty, and the fledgling Route 66 Arts Alliance recently met with New … Continue reading Groups seek Route 66 Art Trail in New Mexico

Old Cathedral in St. Louis undergoing restoration

The Old Cathedral in St. Louis, located next to the Gateway Arch grounds, is undergoing a privately funded $10 million restoration, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper detailed what will happen to the 1834 church, also known as the Basilica of St. Louis King of France: [T]he Old Cathedral will have new windows, air-conditioning … Continue reading Old Cathedral in St. Louis undergoing restoration

Albuquerque gets grant for LED neon lighting

The City of Albuquerque received a grant from a state utility company to set up LED neon street lighting along a two-block stretch of downtown Central Avenue (aka Route 66), according to an announcement Wednesday from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and a report from KRQE-TV. A grant also will be used to "establish a … Continue reading Albuquerque gets grant for LED neon lighting

Where Cars Land got its inspiration

This video shows how Disney engineers (they're called Imagineers) traveled Route 66 to research and figure out the right look for a life-size fictional town of Radiator Springs for Cars Land at Disneyland California Adventure. https://youtu.be/dKYi8gbbIn0 Route 66 author and "Cars" actor Michael Wallis led the trip about five years ago. My story about that … Continue reading Where Cars Land got its inspiration

Santa returns to Catsup Bottle after a long hiatus

A decorative Santa Claus figure on the lower structure of the historic World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Ill., has returned after a more than a 10-year hiatus, according to a news release from the landmark's preservation group. From the news release: The 12-foot-tall, 400-pound Santa figure is wrapped in lights and colorful garland and … Continue reading Santa returns to Catsup Bottle after a long hiatus

Santa Monica Pier considers designs to replace its aging bridge

  The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is mulling over several designs to replace its 1939 bridge that links the mainland to the Santa Monica Pier, according to a report in The Malibu Times. The city had discussed replacing the bridge in the 1990s. But the passage of time and an upcoming light-rail line that … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier considers designs to replace its aging bridge