In recent weeks, it's come to our attention that a few online companies have been offering all four seasons of the original "Route 66" television series on DVD. Those are unofficial releases, because Roxbury Entertainment owns the rights to "Route 66" and is releasing the first half-season on a four-DVD set in a matter of … Continue reading Accept no substitutes
Category: Businesses
A visit to 4 Women on the Route
It was nearly a year ago when I went to 4 Women on the Route's event to show off the boom truck that was the inspiration for Mater in the movie "Cars" and fledgling Route 66 visitors center at Front and Main streets in Galena, Kan. I'd driven by the 4 Women on the Route's … Continue reading A visit to 4 Women on the Route
DIY festival
Merchants along Sixth Street, aka Route 66, in Amarillo, Texas, have long been waiting for the city to do something about revitalization. They got tired of waiting. The Route 66 Business Association and San Jacinto Christian Academy teamed up to create the first annual Historic Route 66 Fall Festival on Oct. 6, reports The Ranger, … Continue reading DIY festival
Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Lately, I'd been getting e-mails from Illinois Route 66ers, telling me there was grave activity occurring at the historic Wishing Well Motel on Route 66 in the Chicago suburb of Countryside, Ill. One observer said the motel's electrical meters and water main had been removed. Others had reported that fencing had been erected around the … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that federal EPA and state officials are looking at ways to reuse abandoned gas stations along Route 66 into productive businesses. The discussion took place in Galena, Kan. Doyle said a survey found 45 abandoned gas stations along Route 66 from St. Louis, Mo., to Baxter Springs. He said there … Continue reading Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations
Side trips in Missouri
This video makes stops in the remarkable Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Mo. The one guy interviewed keeps calling it "Red Oaks II" for some reason. It also checks out the neon in Lebanon, Mo., focusing mostly on the Munger Moss Motel and recently revived Wrink's Market.
Picking up the pieces
Reader Dan Imming sent a few photos after the Green Parrot tavern on Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was demolished. The century-old building was structurally compromised when a sinkhole, caused by collapsing underground mine, opened behind the property. Imming says the demolition contractor is carefully salvaging the bricks, stone and wood, which will be used … Continue reading Picking up the pieces
Update those phone lists
On Sunday, the state of New Mexico added a new telephone area code of 575. Until recently, New Mexico was one of the few states left to have one area code -- 505. This change will affect a number of businesses on Route 66, including the towns of Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. Albuquerque, Grants, Las … Continue reading Update those phone lists
The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
The historic Green Parrot tavern, on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was torn down after collapsing underground mines severely compromised the integrity of the structure. KSN/KODE in nearby Joplin, Mo., has a report, including video of the demolition. The good news is that cleanup crews are sorting through the wreckage by hand and seek … Continue reading The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
Arizona launches asbestos removal plan for Route 66 properties
Asbestos removal remains a daunting problem for many of those who want to fix up aging buildings on the Mother Road. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has stepped in and decided to help Route 66 communities deal with the problem, reports the Arizona Capital Times. Many older buildings and structures along the Route 66 … Continue reading Arizona launches asbestos removal plan for Route 66 properties