Loretta (Marten) Ludek, 74, who was instrumental in founding the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine along old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., died Tuesday at her home in Anderson, Ind., according to an obituary by Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home. The Our Lady site explains Loretta's role in getting the statue there: In June of 1958, … Continue reading Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Category: Attractions
More about the Joplin murals
A few days ago, the Joplin Globe reported about a local tile company that is offering to install Route 66-related murals at Seventh and Main in Joplin, Mo., where two historic alignments of Route 66 meet. Today, the president of the Images in Tile USA, Paul Whitehill, sent more information about the project. First, here … Continue reading More about the Joplin murals
A new way of seeing the Santa Monica Pier
I'll bet you've never seen the Santa Monica Pier this way before: Santa Monica Airlines from robert mcintosh on Vimeo. The video was created by Robert Macintosh, who specializes in aerial photography. When asked how he threaded the camera through the Ferris Wheel, he confessed: “I just held my breath and tried not to blink.” … Continue reading A new way of seeing the Santa Monica Pier
Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business
At least three vintage duplexes from Joplin, Mo., were moved to the Red Oak II property near Carthage, Mo., on Wednesday, according to several photos and posts on Red Oak II's Facebook page. The sprawling Red Oak II complex, a few miles north of Route 66, serves as a re-creation of old-time, small-town America by artist Lowell Davis. … Continue reading Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business
Route 66-related murals planned in Joplin
An artist and a businessman plan a pair of Route 66-related murals on the outside wall of a hardware store in Joplin, Mo., on one of the older Route 66 alignments, reported the Joplin Globe. The newspaper said: Paul Whitehill, of Images in Tile, is proposing to install two tile wall murals and a tourist … Continue reading Route 66-related murals planned in Joplin
Another promo for “American Giants” series
Stone Baker is planning a series of videos on YouTube titled "American Giants," about his obsession with fiberglass statues (aka Muffler Men) that graced roadsides during the 1960s and '70s. Baker posted another promotional video for the series, set to begin this spring. You'll see several Muffler Men along Route 66 in Illinois in this … Continue reading Another promo for “American Giants” series
Does Route 66 through central New Mexico need “rebranding”?
A panel that's working to re-energize Route 66 from Moriarty, N.M., to the Rio Puerco west of Albuquerque wants to designate it as "Retribution Road," reported the Mountain View Telegraph. The "retribution" part comes from the diabolical deed of Gov. A.T. Hannett in the late 1920s. When he lost re-election, he gained his revenge on … Continue reading Does Route 66 through central New Mexico need “rebranding”?
Does Cadillac Ranch have new owners after Stanley Marsh 3 settled lawsuits?
Cadillac Ranch patriarch Stanley Marsh 3 and several of his associates settled all the lawsuits from 10 men who alleged sex acts were performed in Marsh's high-rise office when they were minors, reported the Amarillo Globe-News on Saturday. A statement by the plaintiffs' lawyer, however, indicates Cadillac Ranch has or soon will be transferred into … Continue reading Does Cadillac Ranch have new owners after Stanley Marsh 3 settled lawsuits?
66 to Cali stand will stay on Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica City Council approved a new lease for the 66 to Cali souvenir stand and ended months of uncertainty for owner Dan Rice, who feared he would lose his space on the Santa Monica Pier. Rice relayed the news Friday afternoon on the 66 to Cali Facebook page. Earlier in the month, Rice … Continue reading 66 to Cali stand will stay on Santa Monica Pier
Take a ride on Radiator Springs Racers
We've posted a few participant videos from folks who've ridden on the Radiator Springs Racers attraction at Cars Land. But this one is the best, by far. A high-quality video camera and microphones certainly help. https://youtu.be/w18mej4Lh4M Cars Land is inspired by the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, as depicted by the Disney-Pixar animated … Continue reading Take a ride on Radiator Springs Racers