San Bernardino considers retro streetscaping

The Route 66 town of San Bernardino, Calif., is considering "Modern Retro" and "Classic Simplicity" streetscape designs that partially take inspiration from its Route 66 past, according to the San Bernardino County Sun. The former theme would be a throwback to Route 66 and the highway travelers who came West after World War II. The … Continue reading San Bernardino considers retro streetscaping

Route 66 Center in Webb City opens

The Route 66 Center, located in a renovated gas station in Webb City, Mo., opened during a ceremony on Tuesday morning. The Webb City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting at the station, located near Main and Broadway in downtown. Here are a few photos of the building and the interior during the event: You … Continue reading Route 66 Center in Webb City opens

Another dressed-up station in Tucumcari

Here's another closed gas station in Tucumcari, N.M., that's been repainted to help dress up the town a bit. This station, which is nearly finished, is made up to look like a petrol stop from the long-defunct Whiting Bros. chain. Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari and one of the volunteers in this townwide … Continue reading Another dressed-up station in Tucumcari

“Lucky Sevens”

Ricko Donovan's song about "living way too fast" features mentions of Route 66. A few days ago, he decided to perform this song at the Route 66 exhibit at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona.

Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month

Volunteers may move a historic steam locomotive to Route 66 Station park in the 3700 block of Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa later this month, according to the Tulsa World. The operative word is "may," because the group of railroad buffs has blown a number of self-imposed deadlines before. Later this month, a steam locomotive, a … Continue reading Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month

Springfield, Mo., will renovate town square

The city of Springfield, Mo., will begin renovations on its Park Central Square in downtown after a 4 p.m. Friday ceremony to restore it to the original 1970s design by acclaimed urban architect Lawrence Halprin, according to a news release from the city. The square is where various Route 66 alignments on East St. Louis … Continue reading Springfield, Mo., will renovate town square

Group asks for nominations of endangered roadside places

The Society for Commercial Archaeology is seeking nominations for its Falling by the Wayside: Ten Endangered Roadside Places list for 2011, according to an e-mail from the group today. Some information from the press release: Roadside places eligible for inclusion will be those that fall within the scope of SCA's stated interests and mission:architectural elements … Continue reading Group asks for nominations of endangered roadside places

Cars Land reaches construction milestone

The Cars Land complex at Disneyland Resort, patterned after the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs in the movie "Cars," reached a milestone Friday when a final steel supporting beam was fastened to the Cadillac Range, according to the Orange County Register. The Cadillac Range is a fictional mountain range patterned after the Cadillac … Continue reading Cars Land reaches construction milestone

A virtual tour of the Mother Road

The World Monuments Fund in 2007 listed Route 66 as one of the most threatened historical sites in the world. Now, the group has hired a company to to create a virtual tour of a small section of the Mother Road. It is hoped that these virtual programs can be expanded to include many other … Continue reading A virtual tour of the Mother Road

A view from Pacific’s bluff

The Missourian in Washington, Mo., has posted a fascinating story about the famous bluff in Blackburn Park in Pacific, Mo. This landmark is right on Route 66, at the intersection of Osage Street and Second Street. The story bristles with interesting history, including: Even many locals are unaware there is access to the top of … Continue reading A view from Pacific’s bluff