I think it's time to describe Geoff Ladd as A Guy Who Gets Things Done. First, the Logan County tourism director fended off a very likely demolition of The Mill along Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., eventually will rehab it and convert it into a tourism center. Now, according to today's Lincoln Courier, Ladd has … Continue reading Abe Lincoln wagon moved to Lincoln
Category: Attractions
Roadside America updates
Periodically, I get e-mails from the good folks at Roadside America, informing me about updates to the site. The latest edition has few new reader tips that should be of interest to Route 66 fans: The big cross just off Route 66 in Edmond, Okla. It's big, but not nearly as huge as the one … Continue reading Roadside America updates
Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
It's always a treat to visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, located on old Route 66 in Staunton, Ill. Not only is proprieter Rich Henry an affable host, but it's fun to pet the ever-mellow Montana, one of his 37 pet rabbits, and see the new stuff Henry has acquired or planned. Henry's has a well-stocked … Continue reading Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
An update on Roy’s of Amboy
Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times wrote an excellent story about the attempts by Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, to resuscitate the historic Roy's in the lonely Route 66 desert down of Amboy, Calif. Okura hoped to be further along in fixing up the property, but progress has been slow: … Continue reading An update on Roy’s of Amboy
Town wants the largest Route 66 mural
The city of Pontiac, Ill., wants the world's largest Route 66 mural painted on the back of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. Whether it will be the largest is questionable. Leading the charge on the proposal is City Administrator Bob Karls. Karls has been working … Continue reading Town wants the largest Route 66 mural
Route 66 in Vega
On Sunday, the Amarillo Globe-News (free registration required) published an article about nearby Vega, Texas, and its Route 66 heritage. The article contained some updates on a few longtime favorites: Dot Leavitt, founder and caretaker of Dot's Mini-Museum, died about a month ago. But the museum was willed to her daughter, Betty Carpenter, and she's … Continue reading Route 66 in Vega
Our Lady of the Highways now has a Web site
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways, which has stood along Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., since 1959, now has a Web site that was launched a few days ago by Peter Stork, of Digital Route 66 fame. Stork tells me of the site: I've developed it for my future in-laws (Illinois Rt 66 … Continue reading Our Lady of the Highways now has a Web site
“Albuquerque Rising”
That is the title of this excellent travel article from the Los Angeles Times. Click here and find out why.
Home’s Underground Railroad lore doesn’t match reality
Just south of Towanda, Ill., just off of old Route 66 is a stately home called Towanda Meadows. Because of its proximity to a set of railroad tracks, it reputedly was a haven for escaped slaves as part of the Underground Railroad. It's a fascinating story. Too bad it's not true. Towanda Meadows is indeed … Continue reading Home’s Underground Railroad lore doesn’t match reality
Holiday season at the Bent Door
Ramona Kiewert, one of the new co-owners of the Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, sent these photos that were taken during the recent winter storm that hit the Panhandle in late December. She mentioned that the residents of Adrian complemented them on the Christmas lights hanging from the building's vigas. The folks there were probably … Continue reading Holiday season at the Bent Door