The gigantic rocking chair at the Fanning Outpost General Store in the Route 66 hamlet of Fanning, Mo., was certified as an official Guinness World Record as the largest such piece of furniture, according to a news release Wednesday. The chair was custom-built for store owner Dan Sanazaro last April. Officially, the chair measures 42 … Continue reading Big rocker is certified as world record
Category: Businesses
Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Megan Gambino in the March issue of Smithsonian magazine takes a somewhat dour look at the Mother Road. Here's an excerpt: Writing about the Joad family's journey from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to the promised land of California in The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck famously called Route 66 the "mother road." But today … Continue reading Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Adding ladies to the legend
The Tampa Tribune takes more of a feminist angle of Route 66 in leading off its story about 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan.: Think of Route 66 and several names come to mind: Bobby Troup, who wrote "Route 66"; John Steinbeck, who proclaimed it the Mother Road in "The Grapes of Wrath"; … Continue reading Adding ladies to the legend
Spreading the word via YouTube
This is going to be commonplace in the coming years: businesses touting themselves to potential customers, via YouTube. As an example, here's one by Historic Seligman Sundries on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz.:
For sale — one grocery store on Route 66
Bassett's Grocery, which has operated on Route 66 in Afton, Okla., since 1922, is set to close soon, reported Laurel Kane on Sunday on her blog, Thoughts from a Route 66 Business Owner. Shortly after we arrived at Afton Station this morning, Tommy Bassett came over to announce that he's officially closing his little grocery … Continue reading For sale — one grocery store on Route 66
A look at Bozo’s rides
The Detroit News has published a story, with photos, about James "Bozo" Cordova's Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, N.M. Many of the 30 vintage vehicles have been restored by Bozo's Garage across the road. And, unlike many museums, these aren't just for show. If you have the cash, you can drive one and … Continue reading A look at Bozo’s rides
Joliet business adds kitsch to Route 66
Noting the Route 66 attractions on the Broadway alignment of Joliet, Ill., Dick's Towing decided to get into the act, according to the Herald News. He pulled two vintage vehicles from storage and had them hoisted to the top of a block building he owns on the southeastern edge of his property on the 900 … Continue reading Joliet business adds kitsch to Route 66
Historic real estate site launched
For those seeking or wanting to sell historic property along Route 66, a new site launched last week that may provide a good resourse for such things. HistoricForSale.com, a subsidiary of PreservationDirectory.com, launched on Wednesday. It's an online directory of vintage homes and historic commercial property for sale, and real-estate agents who specialize in such … Continue reading Historic real estate site launched
A Muffler Man primer
Carrie Steinweg, a correspondent for The Times in Munster, Ind., has an excellent overview of the significance and history of Muffler Men -- the fiberglass giants that were (and still are) used by businesses to get the attention of potential customers. Many of the statues were purchased by muffler shops -- hence, the Muffler Man … Continue reading A Muffler Man primer
Tribute to Bolin Ford
Here's a video tribute that someone posted about the devastating fire in December that destroyed much of Bolin Ford on Route 66 in Bristow, Okla. Much of the historic Bristow Motor Co. complex still remains, however. Bolin Ford plans to rebuild.