It isn't just Pontiac, Ill., seeing a big increase in Route 66 tourism in recent years. According to an article today in the Springfield State Journal-Register, the small town of Atlanta, Ill., is experiencing a surge, too. From the newspaper: In Atlanta, sales tax revenue jumped 43 percent last year during the peak tourism season … Continue reading Another town sees surge of Route 66 tourism
Category: Businesses
Dublin Dr Pepper is no more
Dublin Dr Pepper, a regionally popular soda pop made in small-town Dublin, Texas, soon will disappear from store shelves after the corporation that owns Dr Pepper forced the small bottler to stop production. Dublin Dr Pepper was notable because it was made with cane sugar, not the high-fructose corn syrup that flavors regular Dr Pepper. … Continue reading Dublin Dr Pepper is no more
A closer look at Ramone’s Body Art in Cars Land
The Disney Parks Blog posted this construction time-lapse of Ramone's Body Art inside Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure park. https://youtu.be/mbUaKkz-Loc Ramone's resembles the historic U-Drop Inn along Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas. Disney says Ramone's eventually will have neon lighting. Cars Land was inspired by the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, depicted … Continue reading A closer look at Ramone’s Body Art in Cars Land
A video report from San Bernardino County
This local television show interviews Brad Mitzelfelt, vice president of the San Bernardino (Calif.) County Board of Supervisors. https://youtu.be/c-cAnExjXJk In this video, Mitzelfelt talks about: The effort to erect Route 66 historical marker signs in the county. The status of the proposed Mojave Trails National Monument, which shadows much of old Route 66 in the … Continue reading A video report from San Bernardino County
The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
If you have a couple of hours, I urge you to download the "Route 66 Economic Impact Study" by Rutgers University. The main report is more than 400 pages, but this 59-page summary will prove very useful and concise. The reports recently were posted on the website of one of the study's collaborators, the World Monuments … Continue reading The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
The story behind 66-to-Cali
Owner Dan Rice explains the genesis of his 66-to-Cali shop on the Santa Monica Pier and his mission. https://youtu.be/qhl5tAAbIlw The clip was produced by CanadaOne.com, a business channel on the Internet.
Tulsa councilor will form task force about Route 66
New Tulsa city councilor Blake Ewing is creating a task force to better embrace business and tourism opportunities along Route 66 in town, the Tulsa World reported today. "There's Route 66 travel maps that bypass Tulsa," he said with frustration. "Motorists hop on Interstate 44 at Catoosa to cut through the city and then reconnect … Continue reading Tulsa councilor will form task force about Route 66
Sad end to The Java Stop
One of the eye-catching businesses along Route 66 in Dwight, Ill., in recent years was The Java Stop coffee stand, which used two rail containers stacked on top of each other and a fancy paint job. The Java Stop was so striking that an architectural firm honored it for its design. However, Java Stop was … Continue reading Sad end to The Java Stop
Historic Joplin pawnshop closes
A pawn shop in Joplin, Mo., closed for good. But it wasn't just any pawn shop. It was the Ben Milgrim Pawnshop, which had operated near the Mother Road for 78 years, acording to the Joplin Globe. The contents of the business were being auctioned today at Joplin's Jack Lawton Webb Convention Center. The auction company, … Continue reading Historic Joplin pawnshop closes
Doing it their way
Here's a wonderful clip made by the folks at Mother's Brewing Co., based in Springfield, Mo. You'll quickly find it's inspired by a certain 1970s sitcom. https://youtu.be/vhHe43O7qRg The microbrewery, by the way, sits less than a block south of the St. Louis Street / College Street alignment of Route 66. (Hat tip: Christian Gideon)