When Wayne Winchester bought Jensen's Point near Pacific, Missouri, as part of a package deal for his WINTEC Pharmaceutical business in 1991, he didn't have to preserve the historic property. But he did, because he fell in love with it. “Once I bought that property, I knew that Jensen’s Point had to be saved for … Continue reading Book review: “Jensen Point: Stop and Reminisce”
Category: Attractions
“Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
Former Pixar Animation chief John Lasseter, director of the Route 66-inspired "Cars" film in 2006, recently was hired as chief of Skydance Animation. Lasseter -- along with the film's vision of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs -- is the figure most responsible for the Mother Road’s continued renaissance except perhaps Michael Wallis … Continue reading “Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Joshua Tree National Park in California, a common side trip for Route 66 travelers, will shut down today because of damage to the park and will remain closed until the government shutdown ends. The Los Angeles Times reported: Without rangers on hand, visitors created new roads by driving off pavement and defaced the park’s namesake … Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery
Route 66 artwork from Amarillo figures prominently in an art show in the unlikely locale of Plainview, Texas (pop. 20,700). The "Yellow City Art" show at Contemporary Art Museum Plainview, which runs through February, features the work of photographer Ed Ruscha (known for his 1963 "Twentysix Gasoline Stations" photo book) and the late Stanley Marsh … Continue reading Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery
Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
The city of Springfield, Illinois, announced in the wake of its recent purchase of the Sonrise Donuts neon signs it is developing a larger tourism plan to draw more Route 66 travelers in the coming years. With an eye on Route 66's centennial in 2026, Springfield wants to develop a "hub" of Route 66 attractions into … Continue reading Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
The shutdown of the U.S. government that began Friday night is affecting some, but not all, of the national parks and other sites managed by the National Park Service. The effect the shutdown, if it's short-term, should be low on Route 66 because it's tourism off-season, especially near the Christmas and New Year's holidays. One … Continue reading U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
Travel app by Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership may be released by May
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is developing an app that will offer turn-by-turn directions on Route 66 and themed itineraries. The group stated the app should be ready for release by May -- near the start of travel season. From the news release this week: The GPS-based app has several purposes, including: • Helping … Continue reading Travel app by Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership may be released by May
Spook Light legend was debunked more than 70 years ago
For decades, locals of the tri-state area of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas have talked about the so-called "Spook Light" phenomenon that occurs on a country road near the hamlet of Hornet, Missouri. It's been described as a flickering ball of light that would appear in the early evening, then would disappear if you attempted to … Continue reading Spook Light legend was debunked more than 70 years ago
Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa is finished
Construction on the massive Route 66 Rising sculpture at the traffic circle at Mingo Road and Admiral Place (aka Route 66) in Tulsa came to completion last week. The $650,000 sculpture, paid for with Vision 2025 sales-tax money, is about 70 feet long and 30 feet tall. Eric F. Garcia of EFG Creative in Albuquerque designed the sculpture. … Continue reading Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa is finished
Take a hike around Albuquerque’s volcanoes
Not many people other than locals know this, but Albuquerque is home to three inactive volcanoes on the west edge of the city, and you can hike around them. The volcanoes, known as the Three Sisters, sit within the boundaries of Petroglyph National Monument that includes one of the largest petroglyph sites in North American. … Continue reading Take a hike around Albuquerque’s volcanoes