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
Category: Businesses
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
Report from the racino hearing
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
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