I received word Monday that Betty Courtney, 79, one member of the team that helped form the much-praised 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., died Sunday. She, along with Melba Rigg, Judy Courtney and Renee Charles, helped lead the charge to take an abandoned gas station on Route 66 in Galena and transform … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Businesses
Biofuels plant near Kingman appears kaput
After much brouhaha and controversy last year, it appears a proposed biofuels plant along Route 66 north of Kingman, Ariz., isn't going to happen, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. [County] Supervisor Gary Watson said he was not surprised that the plant, which was slated to be built about 2 miles from Valle Vista, failed. … Continue reading Biofuels plant near Kingman appears kaput
Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
The Joplin Globe's story about the Tri-State Route 66 Festival at Downstream Casino Resort that contained a few pearls of useful information for roadies. Danny Charles and T.J. Davis this fall will open a 1895 building on historic Route 66 in downtown Galena, Kan., as a pizzeria and pub. Volunteers from the festival helped them … Continue reading Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
Jerry McClanahan wins top honor at Will Rogers Awards
Longtime author and artist Jerry McClanahan won the prestigious Will Rogers Award during the Will Rogers Awards Evening on Saturday night during the Tri-State Route 66 International Festival at Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Okla. McClanahan, who has researched Route 66 since the early 1980s, has written several magazine articles about obscure Mother Road alignments … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan wins top honor at Will Rogers Awards
Should have stuck with bowling
OKC Biz published a story today about the pending sale of the historic 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City to a Spices of India grocery. The article contained this tidbit that I hadn't seen reported elsewhere: Owner Jim Haynes says he’s owned the 51-year-old, 25,880-square-foot bowling alley for 32 years. “I just had to (sell the … Continue reading Should have stuck with bowling
Johnnie’s Bar marks 50th year
Johnnie's Bar, a fixture on Route 66 in St. James, Mo., is marking its 50th year of business, according to the St. James Press. A bit of history ... Originally opened by John Bullock, Russ’ father, in the downtown plaza in 1952, the business moved to the corner of James Boulevard in 1960 where it … Continue reading Johnnie’s Bar marks 50th year
A closer look at a Hall of Fame inductee
The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., published a profile of the late Lewis "Zoo" Barrick, a Lincoln trucker who recently was elected to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame: Zoo Barrick started Barrick Transfer & Beverage Co. in 1935. The transfer company hauled freight such as meat and soda up and down Route 66. … Continue reading A closer look at a Hall of Fame inductee
A look at the Arizona Route 66 passport
On Thursday, I received in the mail from Sharlene Fouser the new Arizona Route 66 passport that is being distributed at tourism offices and businesses along the Mother Road in the state. Here's what it looks like, outside and inside: The passport contains only 20 pages, but includes a short history of the road, trivia, … Continue reading A look at the Arizona Route 66 passport
Deep thought
If fire officials say you should get a sprinkler system for your very old building and no hydrants are nearby, maybe you should listen to them. Sigh.
Last frame coming for 66 Bowl
The historic 66 Bowl of Oklahoma City has been sold to an India grocer, and its last bowling frame will occur in mid-August. Spices of India, down the road from the 66 Bowl on the Northwest 39th Street alignment of Route 66, has bought the bowling center and concert venue, reported Oklahoma Route 66 expert … Continue reading Last frame coming for 66 Bowl