A month ago, a fire that started in the repair-shop area of Bolin Ford in Bristow, Okla., was believed to have destroyed the historic Bristow Motor Co. building that was part of the complex. For reasons that are too boring to recount here, I wasn't able to check the scene until Sunday. What I saw … Continue reading Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire
Category: Businesses
Only in America
Here's a letter to the editor by Larry Matulich, which was printed in the Marysville (Calif.) Appeal-Democrat: Is there still a Ford in America’s future? Not only is the question for one American car company, it goes for GM and Chrysler too. The future of American truck and car brands like Ford, Chevy and Dodge, … Continue reading Only in America
Craft sales help Indian families
If you're itching to buy American Indian jewelry or crafts and won't be able to soon travel Route 66 to the desert Southwest to buy them, you ought to look at getting them by mail order from the Southwest Indian Foundation. This article by the Associated Press lays out the reasons why: When Margie Lee's … Continue reading Craft sales help Indian families
The mother of sucker traps
Car and Driver magazine columnist Patrick Bedard got a longtime gas-station owner on Route 66 in Williams, Ariz., to come clean about repair scams his crew foisted on travelers for decades. The fellow's name is Roy Killinsworth, 78, who started with a Tidewater Oil Co. station in the early 1960s and eventually had a Chevron. … Continue reading The mother of sucker traps
End of an era approaches
Thanks to some regular readers, we were the first to report the impending closure of the Riviera Road House in Gardner, Ill. Today, the Joliet Herald News has some more details about the Riviera's colorful history and why co-owners Bob and Peggy Kraft are shutting it down after Jan. 2.
Sen. Coburn’s response
It took a few weeks, but Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) finally responded to letters from roadies who implored him to reconsider his staunch opposition to a lands bill that contains legislation to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. I received an e-mailed response a few days ago from Coburn, but … Continue reading Sen. Coburn’s response
Decked for the holidays
The World's Largest Rocker at the Fanning 66 Outpost & General Store in the Route 66 hamlet of Fanning, Mo., is now appropriately decorated for the Yuletide season. I sure hope the person who strung the lights wasn't afraid of heights. Up near the top, you're more than 40 feet off the ground. If you … Continue reading Decked for the holidays
Route 66 supporter honored by Wilmington chamber
The Wilmington (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce named Scott Cameron, owner of the Camz of Wilmington retro store, its Business Person of the Year, reports the Joliet Herald News. Here's the lowdown: Chamber President Eric Fisher said Cameron was selected for the honor because of his "commitment to bringing together the downtown merchants." Cameron was also … Continue reading Route 66 supporter honored by Wilmington chamber
Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day
A Route 66 icon, The Riviera Restaurant, in Gardner, Ill., is set to close after many years. Here's an e-mail from Route 66 advocate Lenore Weiss: The health and ages of Bob & Peggy Kraft, our most gracious host and hostess of the Riviera for over 36 years, are forcing them to close the doors. Unfortunately … Continue reading Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day
Fire destroys Bristow Motor Co. building
The historic Bristow Motor Co. building on Route 66 in Bristow, Okla., was destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon, reported the Daily Oklahoman. The building, built in 1923 at 500 N. Main St., was a Bolin Ford dealership. The Tulsa World reports that one firefighter was injured, but not seriously. The fire began in a car … Continue reading Fire destroys Bristow Motor Co. building