The newly formed Route 66 Commission in Tulsa met for the first time Tuesday and vowed first to beef up tourism numbers. According to a report about the meeting from Tulsa Public Radio, less than 2 percent of Route 66 brochures handed out by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism went to international travelers. Considering most … Continue reading Route 66 Commission wants more tourists in Tulsa
Category: Attractions
Supertam on 66 proves popular with Chinese tourists
The Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop and Superman memorabilia museum in Carterville, Missouri, has developed a following from tourists who hail more than 7,000 miles away. Owner Larry Tamminen told the Joplin Globe newspaper his store is prominently listed in a Chinese-language Route 66 guide. That would explain why Tamminen suddenly has greeted more than 600 Chinese … Continue reading Supertam on 66 proves popular with Chinese tourists
Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Look what hopped up in my feed. KSDK-TV, the popular NBC affiliate in St. Louis, gave two minutes to Henry's Rabbit Ranch on old Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois. Henry's been doing this schtick for more than 20 years now, which makes him a veteran in Route 66 circles. (Image of Rich Henry by Marcin … Continue reading Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday lifted an injunction that prevented the city of Albuquerque from beginning construction on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project on Central Avenue, aka Route 66. The Albuquerque Journal reported construction may begin next week, although work may be pushed back to Sept. 3. The newspaper reported: Friday’s order simply lifts … Continue reading Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
A record 38,000 people attended the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, this past weekend. KOLR-TV reported 28,000 people attended on Saturday alone, with 5,000 on Friday and another 5,000 on Sunday. Vendors reported bigger crowd sizes, as well. About 23,000 people attended the 2015 festival. A record of more than 400 … Continue reading Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem
I've been on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, at least 10 times, probably more. But while surfing for Route 66 videos and looking over the city's website for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, I stumbled onto a landmark that I don't recall seeing. And it may be the oldest on that stretch of the … Continue reading Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem
Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey
The Route 66 town of Winslow, Arizona, soon will erect a life-size bronze of The Eagles founder and "Take It Easy" co-songwriter Glenn Frey at Standin' on a Corner Park in time for the annual Standin' on a Corner Festival. Tom McCauley, a member of the Standin' on a Corner Foundation board of directors, shared … Continue reading Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey
Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
The owners of the Fanning 66 Outpost -- most famous for the Route 66 Red Rocker giant rocking chair -- announced Tuesday they would close the business effective Thursday because of "economic conditions." Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro posted this message on the business' Facebook page: Farewell from Fanning 66 Outpost, General Store, Archery and feed. Due … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
A group of concerned residents seeks to restore the Virden History Mural in Virden, Illinois, on Route 66 that depicts the town's transportation history. City officials dedicated the 52-by-19-foot mural by Greenville College professor John Hubbell in 2004. But it's encountered hard times recently, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Illinois weather has been hard on the mural, said Suzanne Gray, … Continue reading Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road
Additional information emerged over the weekend about the oft-reported Route 66 Welcome Center solar road that will be installed near Conway, Missouri. The solar panels will be laid on a 12-by-20-foot section of sidewalk, not road surface, at the Route 66-themed rest area off Interstate 44, reported the Kansas City Star. “We want to start kind of smaller and … Continue reading More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road