The former Duncan Manor farmhouse, aka Towanda Meadows, near old Route 66 in Towanda, Ill., has been placed on Landmarks Illinois' Ten Most Endangered Historic Places because the structure's deterioration, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. The report says that a porch has collapsed, and that the eaves have sustained serious damage. It is hoped that the … Continue reading Historic house placed on endangered list
Category: Attractions
Surprise on 66
Now this is a surprise party. Vaughn Veit of Minnesota was set to mark his 66th birthday on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. What he didn't know was that his wife had set up a surprise party, with about 200 friends traveling from Minnesota, at the California Route 66 Museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. … Continue reading Surprise on 66
Yes, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is real
It's been reported for a while that Hualapai Indian tribe is constructing a Plexiglass-rimmed Skywalk that juts out 70 feet into the Grand Canyon, over the Colorado River. The fantastical project sounds like a scenery-lover's dream (or a nightmare if you have problems with vertigo). Anyway, the Skywalk seems so improbable that Snopes.com, a site … Continue reading Yes, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is real
Blues jam with the Mediocre Music Makers
A fellow named Shadetree blows a mean blues harmonica while jamming with guitarist Harley Russell of the Mediocre Music Makers a block south of Route 66 in Erick, Okla. There's plenty of goofing around, but it's apparent that both are pretty good musicians.
Blues Brothers statue may greet Route 66 travelers
The city of Joliet, Ill., wants to draw more tourists into its suburban Chicago town. One of the ways it hopes to do this is by building a fiberglass statue of the Blues Brothers on Route 66, according to United Press International. The Blues Brothers was a "Saturday Night Live" routine by the Dan Aykroyd … Continue reading Blues Brothers statue may greet Route 66 travelers
Thinkin’ about Lincoln
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier has a couple of good stories about tourism. One is about how towns close to Springfield want to cash in on the overwhelming success that is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The towns on Route 66 seem to be doing well, but they certainly want to take advantage. The other story … Continue reading Thinkin’ about Lincoln
Update on the Big Lincoln Wagon
The Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review has a story about how Geoff Ladd managed to acquire a gigantic covered wagon and Abe Lincoln figure and have it moved from Divernon, Ill., to an intersection at Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill. Most of the information has already been reported by other media. But there's this item: … Continue reading Update on the Big Lincoln Wagon
Another story about Oatman
This is the second story about the Route 66 town of Oatman, Ariz., in about three days, and it's a good one. The story by Jerry Rice for InsideBayArea.com contains a lot of local color and history. It even has some stuff I was unaware of, including horseback riding through the mountains, and Burro Biscuit … Continue reading Another story about Oatman
“Watch out for their teeth”
Greg Aragon of Burbank (Calif.) Weekly paid a visit Oatman, the isolated Route 66 town in Arizona's Black Mountains. The former gold-mining town is known as a place for those who want a taste of the Old West. But Oatman's biggest claim to fame is the wild burros that wander the streets. “Give them a … Continue reading “Watch out for their teeth”
Winslow, such a fine sight to see
The New York Times has an excellent article about the rebirth of the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz. When my wife and I first visited the town in 2001, it seemed a bit down on its luck. But the story indicates that things are looking up after a long decline. Empty storefronts still dot … Continue reading Winslow, such a fine sight to see