The Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., has added another mural image, courtesy of local artist Doug Quarles. It's a 1953 Flxible Clipper bus. Motel owner Richard Talley also passed along this news: On another note, we just had our first celebrity guest check-in! No, it wasn't Sir Paul!!! During the annual Rattler Reunion weekend, a … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Businesses
“The Business of Poverty”
This episode of the PBS-TV's "Bill Moyers Journal" begins on Albuquerque's Central Avenue, aka Route 66. In fact, the Route 66 shield can be seen in a couple of shots (one in the screen shot above). The program can be viewed online here. A podcast of "The Business of Poverty" also can be heard here: … Continue reading “The Business of Poverty”
Panel to review Tucumcari racetrack petition Wednesday
Soon, we will know the date of whether Tucumcari, N.M., will receive a state license for a horse-racing track and casino, which would be on Route 66. According to the Quay County Sun, the New Mexico Racing Commission will announce Wednesday the date in which it will select the winner of the "racino" license. When … Continue reading Panel to review Tucumcari racetrack petition Wednesday
Feat of clay
Here's a video about Bradley's Pottery on old Route 66 in Chandler, Okla. The clip was produced by the state's tourism department.
POPS — one year later
One year ago today, POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., opened its doors for the first time. The convenience store/restaurant was the brainchild of Cheseapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon and architect Rand Elliott, complete with a 66-foot-tall soda bottle festooned with multicolored LED lights and hundreds of brands of cold soda on sale. POPS … Continue reading POPS — one year later
Countryside to develop town center
Countryside, Ill., has big plans for the future -- a mixed-use town center along LaGrange Road, aka Route 66. From the Suburban Life News: Located on historic Route 66, the new center will be surrounded by pedestrian sidewalks along the new streetscape of La Grange Road. The Town Center will serve as a gateway to … Continue reading Countryside to develop town center
The story of Budville, Part 2
This is the second part of the history of Budville, N.M., published in the Valencia County News-Bulletin. The second installment focuses on the sensational trial of the man accused of killing Budville trading post owner Bud Rice and Rice's part-time employee. It's a extremely well-written account, and you'll find there aren't a lot of white … Continue reading The story of Budville, Part 2
Road bandits
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph published a story about the Cattle Bandits, a country-rock band that's opening a show for country star John Anderson at the McLean County Fair tomorrow night. The Cattle Bandits' soon-to-be-released CD, "Homegrown," contains a few Route 66 references. That's the case as the style runs from the country of "Beaches of … Continue reading Road bandits
Tulsa gas station restoration is recognized
The Vickery Phillips 66 Station, located on an old alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa, was given a Citation of Merit by the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, reported the Daily Oklahoman. The station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was rehabilitated by Michael Sager, with help from project architect Mike Kertock. The … Continue reading Tulsa gas station restoration is recognized
Squishing a grape business
Lord knows there is no small number of states that have bizarre or archaic alcoholic beverage laws. But Oklahoma's are ridiculous: J.L. Gilbert has the awkward job of explaining to people who book their wedding at his winery that they cannot buy cases of wine from him to consume at their event. Sparks Vineyard & … Continue reading Squishing a grape business