The Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western end point of Route 66, will get a lot of attention this week when it marks its 100th anniversary on Wednesday. National Public Radio has an excellent story about the pier and its history, including this: Fishermen have been flocking to the pier's edge since its early days. … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier centennial
Category: Attractions
Please don’t feed the burros
For years, tourists to the Route 66 town of Oatman, Ariz., have been allowed to feed the wild burros that wander through the streets. Many of Oatman's merchants sell carrots for these critters, which are descendants of the animals that once toiled in the gold mines. The Oatman burros are a major draw for a … Continue reading Please don’t feed the burros
Twin Arrows namesake gets a face-lift
The famed giant arrows at the defunct Twin Arrows Trading Post east of Flagstaff, Ariz., recently were refurbished after years of deterioration and neglect. Longtime roadie Carol Major reported a few days ago to the Route 66 yahoogroup: ... On my 66 trip from Topock to Oklahoma City last week, I went by Twin Arrows … Continue reading Twin Arrows namesake gets a face-lift
Digging and testifying
Ruth Graham of The Faster Times has posted a somewhat irreverent look at the giant cross of Cross Ministries in Groom, Texas, and the Big Brutus coal shovel of West Mineral, Kan. The story is a salute to gigantic things along or near Route 66. The big cross is 190 feet tall, although it no … Continue reading Digging and testifying
Arrest made in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge burglaries
It appears a breakthrough has been made in the rash of vehicle burglaries that have occurred in the parking area on the Illinois side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. KTVI-TV in St. Louis reports that Kenneth A. Woods-Bey, 18, of St. Louis was arrested by police in Madison, Ill., and charged with four … Continue reading Arrest made in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge burglaries
Wow, man
There's no particular reason why I'm posting this video of the 66-foot-tall pop bottle at POPS in Arcadia, Okla., except that I like it in a vaguely psychedelic way.
Castle Car Wash being restored
The historic Castle Car Wash building on Odgen Avenue, aka Route 66, in Chicago is being restored after years of neglect and will be converted into a Greek restaurant. Debra Jane Seltzer of the terrific Roadside Architecture site got the scoop when she saw workers at the site and asked them what was going on. Seltzer said the work at the building has been going on for about two weeks. According to … Continue reading Castle Car Wash being restored
Madonna of the Trail
Larry Harnisch, who writes a history blog, The Daily Mirror, for the Los Angeles Times, has an interesting post about the Madonna of the Trail monument that was erected in 1929 on Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Upland, Calif. Harnisch writes: These monumental statues were meant to venerate the pioneer spirit, but today, some … Continue reading Madonna of the Trail
Abe Lincoln wagon being moved
The giant covered wagon on Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., that featured a statue of Abe Lincoln in the driver's seat is slated to get a new home at a remodeled hotel, reports the Lincoln Courier. The wagon will be on the front lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn at 1750 Fifth St. in … Continue reading Abe Lincoln wagon being moved
Derrick is done
Driving near Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66, in west Tulsa earlier today, I noticed that the commemorative oil derrick in the under-construction Route 66 Station park appeared to be finished. And it is, according to KOTV in Tulsa. More photos of the derrick's construction can be seen here. The 154-foot-tall derrick is part of a … Continue reading Derrick is done