RoadsideAmerica.com, one of the Web's most popular sites about offbeat roadside attractions, announced today it has launched its "RoadsideAmerica.com Attractions and Oddities" guide for several Garmin global positioning systems, according to a news release. The download is available for $19.99 at Spot It Out. Roadside America's download comes on the heels of a "Route 66 … Continue reading Roadside America releases GPS program
Category: Attractions
The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms
I've visited the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Okla., literally dozens of times. But I'd never known about the existence of these things on the grounds until I saw this photo Saturday on the Blue Whale's Twitter account: That's Ron Edwards John Davis taking a break, one of the many Fins of the Blue Whale volunteers … Continue reading The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms
A history of bottle trees
I thought the dozens of bottle trees erected by Elmer Long along Route 66 in Oro Grande, Calif., were a one-of-a-kind. But apparently not, according to an article by Virginia Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Bottle trees are a long-standing Southern thing, embedded in the life tapestries of African Americans, especially in the Mississippi Delta. … Continue reading A history of bottle trees
Senator introduces bill to create Mojave Trails National Monument
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.) introduced a bill today that would in part create the Mojave Trails National Monument, which would encompass and protect much of the Route 66 corridor in California's Mojave Desert. The bill is called the California Desert Protection Act of 2011, according to a news release from Feinstein's office. The Mojave … Continue reading Senator introduces bill to create Mojave Trails National Monument
Longtime Route 66 researchers endorse GPS product
Longtime Route 66 researchers Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan have endorsed the "Route 66 Attractions" global-positioning system download that became available in December for Nuvi, Zumu, Oregon, Dakota, or StreetPilot GPS units by Garmin. This is a nice coup for the GPS program. Ross and McClanahan developed the popular "Here It Is!" map series for Route … Continue reading Longtime Route 66 researchers endorse GPS product
Amusement park at Santa Monica Pier sold
Pacific Park, the iconic amusement park at the Santa Monica Pier, was sold for $34 million to a Florida-based real estate trust, according to the Los Angeles Times. CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc. said Thursday that it bought Pacific Park and a ground lease for the two-acre property from Santa Monica Amusements, a group of investors … Continue reading Amusement park at Santa Monica Pier sold
What are Route 66’s most important attractions?
Filmmaker Ester Brym is producing a documentary about Route 66. The footage has been shot, but she's trying to edit the movie to a manageable length. She wants input from people who've actually traveled the Mother Road to provide opinions on what they think are the "most important" attractions. Instructions and an e-mail address are on the … Continue reading What are Route 66’s most important attractions?
The man behind the Cadillac Ranch
Here's a short video documentary by filmmaker Todd Kent about Amarillo tycoon Stanley Marsh 3, who led the creation of Cadillac Ranch and other whimsical art installations in the region. The film is a few years old, but it was just posted on YouTube today.
Maplewood adds Route 66 plaques to sidewalks
The St. Louis suburb of Maplewood, Mo., has added commemorative Route 66 metal plaques along its historic downtown area, according to an article in the Maplewood-Brentwood Patch. The markers are situated in the sidewalk in historic Maplewood, commemorating longtime and bygone sights from Route 66's heyday, including six businesses from those days that endure to … Continue reading Maplewood adds Route 66 plaques to sidewalks
Mayor: Blue Whale on short list for grant
As expected, Rogers County endorsed the City of Catoosa, Okla.'s effort to apply for a $600,000 state grant to buy the Blue Whale on Route 66 and make improvements to the property, reported the Claremore Daily Progress today. But the most intriguing part of the story is this: Mayor Rita Lamkin said the city is … Continue reading Mayor: Blue Whale on short list for grant