A little of the Land of Lincoln

Here's a fast-paced photographic look down Route 66 in Illinois, courtesy of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. https://youtu.be/hgWeEz269yw

Train arrives at Route 66 Station

After years of planning, the Frisco Meteor 4500 steam locomotive, along with a passenger car and caboose, were moved today by rail onto the Route 66 Station park at 3700 Southwest Blvd. in west Tulsa. The move necessitated the closing of Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) for two days so track could be laid onto … Continue reading Train arrives at Route 66 Station

“Why Take the Interstate?”

Ed Klein, who runs the Route 66 World website, recently gave a five-minute presentation at Ignite Phoenix that explains the appeal of Route 66 as well as anything. https://youtu.be/nhRjjJHg7tQ

Waldmire mural is finished

The Bob Waldmire-designed mural of a Route 66 map on a downtown building in Pontiac, Ill., was recently finished, according to an e-mail I received from Pontiac Tourism. Click on the image to enlarge it in another window: Pontiac Tourism says it probably will lobby to have the tree removed, however. A mural isn't much … Continue reading Waldmire mural is finished

Talks over Round Barn billboard break down

Negotiations to move a controversial billboard near the historic Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla., have reached an impasse, reports the Edmond Sun. In September, Zoom Media bought a small parcel just east of the Round Barn and began to install a billboard. Claiming it was an eyesore, officials with the Arcadia Historical Society protested, even … Continue reading Talks over Round Barn billboard break down

State funding cuts to Claremore museums prove minor

Funding cuts to two prominent museums in Claremore, Okla., were much less than originally anticipated, reported the Claremore Daily Progress. Oklahoma lawmakers reached a budget agreement this week that included a 7 percent reduction in funding to the state tourism office. But the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the J.M. Davis Arms Museum in Claremore each … Continue reading State funding cuts to Claremore museums prove minor

Midpoint Cafe placed on the market

Fran Houser has put her Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, up for sale after a 20-year tenure in which she elevated it to a prime stop for travelers on Route 66. Houser said in a phone interview Friday that the asking price is $195,000. Those interested should call her home phone at 806-538-6380. The Midpoint, … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe placed on the market

Oklahoma Route 66 Bike Trail signed into law

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin today signed into a bill that creates a 90-mile Historic Route 66 Bike Trail from Sapulpa to Edmond. House Bill 2049, introduced by Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia) and co-sponsored by Sen. Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), passed by wide margins in both the House and Senate. The law goes into effect on … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Bike Trail signed into law

Tucumcari resumes gas station face-lifts this weekend

Volunteers in Tucumcari, N.M., who dressed up two long-closed gas stations last year with attractive paint jobs will start their efforts again this weekend. The face-lift target this time is the gas station at the Paradise Motel on the city's west edge. Volunteers will paint the station so it looks like an old Gulf or … Continue reading Tucumcari resumes gas station face-lifts this weekend

Students present revitalization plan for Carthage

Students from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., presented a final proposal Monday to revitalize the downtown area of Carthage, Mo., according to the Carthage Press. The plan includes the renovation and reopening of several R0ute 66 landmarks. A map of the proposal reveals a restored Boots Motel and the long-closed Boots Drive-In restaurant, a Route 66 … Continue reading Students present revitalization plan for Carthage