Tucumcari will try again for racino

Investors in will apply Wednesday to the New Mexico Racing Commission for a horse-racing track and casino license in Tucumcari, reported the Clovis News-Journal. Coronado Partners' plans to develop the $60 million Coronado Park on 300-acres, featuring live racing from May to August each year during the heart of the triple-crown racing season nationally, and … Continue reading Tucumcari will try again for racino

No friend of Route 66 — again

You have to admit, at least Sen. Tom Coburn is consistent. The Republican U.S. senator from Oklahoma has targeted the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in his newly published "Oklahoma Waste Report" (pdf document) -- his latest salvo against the much-praised Mother Road program. In one chapter of the report, "Get Your Federal … Continue reading No friend of Route 66 — again

A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market

For an all-too-brief period, Terry Wrinkle resurrected Wrink's Market, the longtime Route 66 business in Lebanon, Mo., owned and operated by his late father Glenn Wrinkle. When Terry shut down the business in 2009, the future of the building looked cloudy. However, in recent weeks, the old Wrink's Market has found new life with D.C. … Continue reading A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market

Two-steppin’ back in time

Someone posted a newscast video from circa 1987 by the now-defunct KTSP-TV in Phoenix about Bert's Country Dancin', a place that held dances only on Saturday nights on old Route 66 between Hackberry and Valentine, Ariz. https://youtu.be/ukXZbnB5gPQ This site had a bit more information about Bert's: That was when Bert Denton, a retired cowboy and sometimes … Continue reading Two-steppin’ back in time

New 66-to-Cali structure dedicated

Dan Rice had been looking for moving his 66-to-Cali souvenir shack into something more permanent on the Santa Monica Pier. This week, the mayor of Santa Monica and other local dignitaries attended a ribbon-cutting Tuesday at the new, improved 66-to-Cali on the pier. Rice wrote in an email: The support we got from Santa Monica … Continue reading New 66-to-Cali structure dedicated

Star Cash grocery in Commerce closes

Star Cash Grocery, which operated on old Route 66 in Commerce, Okla., since 1938, closed its doors last week, reported the Tulsa World today. "The economy and Walmart has forced the store to close down," Trease said. Large chain stores like Walmart and Dollar General are within a few of miles of Star Cash and … Continue reading Star Cash grocery in Commerce closes

Illinois-only store opens in Carlinville

A store that specializes only in Illinois-made products operates in a former post office building on the historic downtown square of Carlinville, Ill., according to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Carlinville -- and its square -- had an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. It's called Market on the Square, run by a … Continue reading Illinois-only store opens in Carlinville

Website aims to help market Route 66 merchandise

Carolyn Hasenfratz, a website developer in the St. Louis region and a friend to Route 66 for at least a decade, has launched a Sell66Stuff.com site to help businesses market their products along Route 66. Here's a video about the service: https://youtu.be/W1PiaWd9w6M According to the news release about the site's official launch: Listings in the … Continue reading Website aims to help market Route 66 merchandise

Book about Wagon Wheel Motel published

An illustrated book about the history of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., has just been published. Riva Echols, sister of the motel's owner Connie Echols, wrote "The History of a Route 66 Icon: The Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66" (102 pages, $15.99, paperback). According to the news release about the book: Riva … Continue reading Book about Wagon Wheel Motel published

Report from the Frankoma Pottery auction

Antique Trader posted a report about the recent closeout auction of the Frankoma Pottery factory along old Route 66 near Sapulpa, Okla. According to Colonel Robert Hawks, of Robert Hawks Auction Co., there were 382 registered bidders at the live onsite auction. A total of 472 lots were offered at the auction, including pottery, fixtures, and … Continue reading Report from the Frankoma Pottery auction