Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., sent an e-mail report about the public hearing Thursday night on whether the town should be awarded a license for a horse-racing track and casino, which would be on Route 66 on the city's east side: The meeting went very well last night, with New … Continue reading Report from the racino hearing
Category: Businesses
The story of Budville, Part 1
The Valencia County News-Bulletin in New Mexico published an excellent story about the history of Budville, the old Route 66 trading post between Albuquerque and Grants, N.M. Go read it. The 1967 slaying of owner Bud Rice and a retired schoolteacher who helped him is a tragic tale. But, as the article ably describes, the … Continue reading The story of Budville, Part 1
On the road with Brad Paisley
This is a segment from The Learning Channel's "Route 66: Main Street America," from 2000. In it, you see a young country star Brad Paisley performing Bobby Troup's "Route 66" on the Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs, Kan., and kicking Dean Walker's feet backwards at Eisler Bros. Store in Riverton, Kan.
Better than a lava lamp
The folks at POPS in Arcadia, Okla., apparently have added quite a few colorful tricks to its 66-foot-tall pop bottle. The effect is, well, psychedelic.
Place a bet on Tucumcari
As many of you may know, the town of Tucumcari, N.M., is a candidate for a horse-racing track and casino license, which would be on the east end of town, right on Route 66. Richard Talley, president of Smalltown America and owner of the restored Motel Safari in Tucumcari, wants roadies from around the world … Continue reading Place a bet on Tucumcari
The Blue Dome’s Turkish connection
The Associated Press has a nice article about Tulsa's historic Art Deco architecture, which recently made the cover of Preservation magazine. But here's something I didn't know. The historic Blue Dome gas station, on an old alignment of Route 66 in downtown, was inspired by an ancient church in Turkey. Route 66 fans have architectural … Continue reading The Blue Dome’s Turkish connection
Tourism numbers jump in northeastern Illinois
Will County, Ill., which includes the Route 66 town of Joliet as the county seat, saw a 9.4 percent increase in tourism spending, reports the Bolingbrook Sun. And the Mother Road gets a lot of the credit: Benson attributed the area's rising numbers to some staple attractions -- the city's two casinos and Chicagoland Speedway … Continue reading Tourism numbers jump in northeastern Illinois
A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a good story about the eventful weekend recently for 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan. The business had a devil of a time hauling around Tow Tater, the tow truck that become the inspiration to Tow Mater in the movie "Cars," to and from the Route 66 Festival … Continue reading A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route
Notes from the road
There seems to be some activity at the long-abandoned old Route 66 town of Spencer, Mo. We heard from Gary Turner up the road at Gay Parita that someone has bought the town's handful of buildings and plans to revive it with a gift shop and maybe other things. When we drove by on Sunday … Continue reading Notes from the road
Montana, R.I.P.
Word came today that Montana, the beloved mascot of Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch on Route 66 in Staunton, Ill., died overnight, likely from natural causes. Montana some months ago underwent abdominal surgery and was nearly seven years old, which is the upper limit of the typical life span of rabbits. Montana even had her own … Continue reading Montana, R.I.P.