A few days ago, we noted a dedication ceremony for the completed restoration of the historic Ambler's Texaco Station on Route 66 in Dwight, Ill. Now, as the Bloomington Pantagraph reports, the Ambler's station no longer pumps gas, but has settled into a new role as a welcome center for Route 66 travelers and other … Continue reading Dwight gas station becomes a welcome center
Category: Attractions
Grant preserves forest near Funks Grove
The forest that lies near the Route 66 settlement of Funks Grove, Ill., is mostly unchanged since the Funk family settled there in 1824. Thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, that forest grove will remain pristine. The Sugar Grove Foundation in Funks Grove was able to buy 476 … Continue reading Grant preserves forest near Funks Grove
“The people of Route 66 are the stars”
KHIZ-TV in Victorville, Calif., produced a two-minute segment about the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. Here is the video:
Town may restore vintage Marathon station
The city of Miami, Okla., may restore a 1929 Marathon service station on Route 66, reports the Miami News-Record. And apparently it's quite a find: Eller said the property, currently occupied by Bravo Salon on South Main Street, could likely be the oldest Marathon station still standing and may be the only circa-1929 original Marathon … Continue reading Town may restore vintage Marathon station
Old gas station to become visitors center
Rod Harsh of Route66TVOnline.com has acquired a vintage Sinclair service station on Route 66 in Carterville, Mo., and is converting it into a Route 66 Visitors Welcome Center and an office for his video production and Visit66.com Web site businesses. A current-day photo of the gas station is above. A photo of the station and … Continue reading Old gas station to become visitors center
Cleanup goof threatens Standin’ on a Corner
The Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Ariz., which has seen all sorts of problems because fire destroyed a nearby building a couple of years ago, suffered another serious setback this week, reports the Winslow Mail. The newspaper reported that a piece of cleanup machinery bumped and accidentally destroyed a portion of the foundation … Continue reading Cleanup goof threatens Standin’ on a Corner
Route 66 publicized at Chicago bus shelters
Five Chicago Transit Authority bus shelters contain touch screens that publicize tourist spots throughout Illinois. One of those destinations is Route 66, reports Crain's Chicago Business. The idea is to inspire viewers to hit the road on the same itineraries, which can take them to the Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, the Launching Pad Drive-Inn (sic) … Continue reading Route 66 publicized at Chicago bus shelters
Public invited to Route 66 Interpretive Center opening
Today, I received a press release about the opening ceremonies for the Route 66 Interpretive Center at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, on Route 66 and Mickey Clarkson Avenue in Chandler, Okla. Here's more information about the center: The Interpretive Center is located in the native sandstone-block 1930s-era building on the prominent crossroads in Chandler. … Continue reading Public invited to Route 66 Interpretive Center opening
Loping along the Land of Lincoln
A group of road cruisers from Cincinnati, called CinZroadsters, drove Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis a few days ago. Here is a video of highlights from the trip: The organizers apparently are doing the rest of the Mother Road on June 9-24. Details are here.
Greening up
A group of Marines from nearby Fort Leonard Wood repainted the Waynesville Frog, aka W.H. Croaker, rock outcropping in Waynesville, Mo., just before the Frog Fest this weekend, reported the Daily Guide. The big frog overlooks Route 66. To see the soldiers repainting the frog, click here.