Squish, squish

The Route 66 Cellars winery in Needles, Calif., held its second annual grape stomp, reports the Mohave Daily News, where customers could crush the fruit with old-fashioned way -- with their feet. The article gives some background on the relatively new business: Route 66 Cellars opened its doors in March of 2006 and they are … Continue reading Squish, squish

More about the American Express grant

Nearly two weeks ago, the World Monuments Fund announced that American Express was awarding a $150,000 grant for a study to help sustain historic Route 66. The news release announced several other AmEx grants, so the finer points of the Mother Road money weren't included. Also, this comment from Route 66 News reader DynoDave motivated … Continue reading More about the American Express grant

Back to drawing board for Wishing Well site

The imminent demolition of the Wishing Well Motel in Countryside, Ill., continues, but plans for the property remain up in the air after Mayor Robert Conrad rejected a retail and townhouse proposal, reports Chicago Suburban News. “We just felt that it was a little too dense there,” Conrad said. “It’s not that anyone has a … Continue reading Back to drawing board for Wishing Well site

Casino coming on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Buried in the text of this conference call about third-quarter earnings for Lakes Entertainment is this: Now I will discuss our projects with the Iowa tribe of Oklahoma. Lakes has signed a consulting and management agreement with the Iowa tribe to assist in the development, construction, and management of two gaming facilities. [...] The second … Continue reading Casino coming on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum

Many roadies were disheartened to learn that the ever-affable Sue Preston, proprietor of the Seaba Station antique and crafts store on Route 66 near Warwick, Okla., had moved and put her historic building up for sale. However, Seaba Station's two new owners intend to restore its original appearance as a 1930s D-X gas station and … Continue reading Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum

Buy a T-shirt, get a membership

Vintage Roadside, an apparel company that features retro artwork from defunct roadside businesses of the 1930s to '60s, is providing free one-year memberships to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for every T-shirt it sells. Most of Vintage Roadside's shirts run $20 apiece. The National Trust membership's value is $20. As the news release says: … Continue reading Buy a T-shirt, get a membership

Route this way

Fundogteam, a bunch of German Frisbee dog aficionados, drove down Route 66 in Arizona and spent a lot of time at Hackberry General Store. The music is "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith and Run-DMC. I'm not sure why it works, but it does.

American Express gives money for Route 66 preservation

American Express, in conjunction with the World Monuments Fund, announced today it was giving $150,000 for an economic study to help sustain historic Route 66. Excerpts from the news release: This initiative, which is part of the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative launched in 2006, is focused on sustaining historic sites in the face … Continue reading American Express gives money for Route 66 preservation

Mohawk Lodge Indian Store

Although Mohawk Lodge Indian Store in Clinton, Okla., didn't start business on Route 66, its founding predates the historic road by several decades and even Oklahoma statehood. Located at 22702 Route 66 North just east of Clinton, Mohawk Lodge has been there since about 1940. But the American Indian craft store's origin dates to Colony, … Continue reading Mohawk Lodge Indian Store

“Independent America” airs Tuesday

The excellent documentary, "Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop," is airing at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Sundance Channel. That happens to be Election Day in some areas across the country. Also, Sundance is airing the film at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9; 10:05 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22; and 8 p.m. Monday, … Continue reading “Independent America” airs Tuesday