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
Category: Businesses
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
More 66 signs in Southern California
Bob Lundy, a Route 66er, sent me a copy of a Rialto (Calif.) Record article about the San Bernardino County Tourism group and its efforts to promote Route 66. The article dealt with the third annual Taste of Route 66 tour. One of the tour's aspects was to promote signs the group created, which "combine … Continue reading More 66 signs in Southern California
Art in an unexpected place
What's great about Route 66 is you sometimes find the unexpected. On Monday, I found it in downtown Commerce, Okla. (population 2,500), talking to a man who creates portraits of rock 'n' roll stars and other artwork. He exhibits and sells these pieces all over the United States. Bill Foss' studio is right on Route … Continue reading Art in an unexpected place
Fighting unemployment with tourism
Officials in Macoupin County, Ill., fighting high joblessness because of the closing of several coal mines, are taking a different tack on trying to address the problem. The Springfield Journal-Register reports that the county will create a Macoupin County Tourism Commission. Efforts will include Route 66-related projects and the creation of a Web site listing … Continue reading Fighting unemployment with tourism
Newest casino on Route 66 opens
The Fire Rock Casino, on Route 66 east of Gallup, N.M., and owned by the Navajo Nation, opened to the public on Wednesday, reports the Gallup Independent. Shortly before the 4 p.m. grand opening, a crowd of thousands was lined up, three and four deep, all the way around one side of the 65,000-square-foot building. … Continue reading Newest casino on Route 66 opens
Another stocking-stuffer
In case you didn't get to the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa last month, you now can buy over the Internet the Route 66 T-shirts recently created by the folks at Vintage Roadside, which specializes in putting retro graphics from defunct roadside businesses onto apparel. Here's the story about this T-shirt: Route 66, also known … Continue reading Another stocking-stuffer