The new owners of the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, hadn't planned it initially, but this week they launched a crowdfunding site to help reopen the Route 66 restaurant faster. According to the CBS-TV affiliate in Chicago: New co-owner Holly Barker said the GoFundMe page launched Monday because the Wilmington community was anxious to see the … Continue reading Launching Pad’s new owners launch crowdfunding site
Category: Attractions
Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners
The co-owners of the Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, on Tuesday said they have accepted an offer from at least two people to buy the restaurant, with the sale anticipated to close in the early spring. Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, made the announcement on the restaurant's Facebook page. They declined … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners
Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Residents of Virden, Illinois, had hoped last year to restore the deteriorating Virden History Mural along Route 66. However, the mural was deemed unsalvageable, and it will be repainted from scratch with a whole new design. Here is a preliminary artist's rendering of the soon-to-come mural: The husband-and-wife team of Bernie Gietl and D.L. Whitlock-Gietl of … Continue reading Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Future holds many changes for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
The folks at KTUL-TV in Tulsa caught up with the people behind the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa to get an update. In short, many changes are in store at the outdoors transportation museum. Right now, a Route 66 visitors center, made to look like a gas station, is being constructed next to the … Continue reading Future holds many changes for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
Needles chamber may move to El Garces
The chamber of commerce of Needles, California, is proposing a move into the historic El Garces railroad complex, built in 1908 as a Harvey House in that city. Jerry Telles, a member of the chamber, made the pitch during a recent Needles City Council meeting, according to the Needles Desert Star. The chamber of … Continue reading Needles chamber may move to El Garces
InSites offering special tours in Chicagoland on Thanksgiving, holiday season
If you're in the Chicago area during the Thanksgiving holiday or during the Christmas season, the InSites tour company has something for you. InSites and David "Windy City Road Warrior" Clark, who organized tours a few weeks ago during the Miles of Possibility Conference, are offering a Thanksgiving Day road trip between Wilmington, Illinois, and … Continue reading InSites offering special tours in Chicagoland on Thanksgiving, holiday season
Route 66 Experience may break ground by spring
The long-planned Route 66 Experience facility in Tulsa may break ground by April or May 2018 and open to the public by November 2019 if all goes to plan, according to an email from the Route 66 Alliance's executive director. Ken Busby said about $13 million has been raised for the Route 66 Experience, which … Continue reading Route 66 Experience may break ground by spring
Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
The U.S. Park Service is considering steep increases to 17 of its most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a side trip for many Route 66 travelers. The Associated Press reported Tuesday: Visitors to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion and other national parks would be charged $70 per vehicle, up … Continue reading Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
Route 66: The Road Ahead issues third-quarter report
Last week, the Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership issued its third-quarter report to keep the Route 66 community up-to-date on its activities and future endeavors. Bill Thomas, chairman of the group, summarized the report in an overview. One excerpt, lightly edited: The board of directors held its third meeting of the year in September, … Continue reading Route 66: The Road Ahead issues third-quarter report
Joliet’s baseball stadium to be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium
The independent baseball stadium in Joliet, Illinois, eventually will be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium, it was announced Friday during the Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Joliet. The name change may not occur for a year because of cost considerations, reported The Herald-News. Regardless, city officials trumpeted the news. "This is international branding," … Continue reading Joliet’s baseball stadium to be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium