The Planning and Zoning Board for the city of Pontiac, Ill., approved variances for two Route 66-themed murals, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. One of them is on a brick wall behind the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum at 110 W. Howard St. The second is on a wall at Diaz Sign Art … Continue reading Pontiac panel approves two Route 66 murals
Category: Businesses
Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
Here's an interesting press release that should intrigue roadies: WHITTIER, Calif. -- Eagle II Motorsports Nostalgia Drag Racing Team announced today that they have been granted special permission from the holder of the Burma Shave registered trademark, to use the name and roadside jingles of the once famous shaving products line, for use in their … Continue reading Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
City of Rialto may tear down Orange Bowl
The residents of Rialto, Calif., are tired of long-abandoned properties that attract vagrants, vandalism and weeds. Among the targeted "eyesores" are the Orange Bowl and an old Shell station along Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The current owner of the Orange Bowl says he has gained two retail tenants … Continue reading City of Rialto may tear down Orange Bowl
Aztec Hotel to be refurbished
The Pasadena Star-News reports that the lobby and bar of the historic Aztec Hotel on Route 66 in Monrovia, Calif., will undergo a $100,000 renovation in the coming weeks. That already had been reported here. However, today's story contains more details about a 20-day liquor-license suspension of the hotel's bar, The Brass Elephant. ABC cited … Continue reading Aztec Hotel to be refurbished
Miss Goodwrench
Here's a rarity: a full-service gas station. This one, Groneman's Service Center, is on Route 66 in Vega, Texas. Here's a bigger rarity: a girl who works at a full-service station. Heather Newton, 16, a soon-to-be junior at the local high school, is employed at Groneman's. Here's an excerpt from a story by the Amarillo … Continue reading Miss Goodwrench
Paradise returns
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader published an informative article about the recent reopening of the former Exotic Animal Paradise near Strafford, Mo., now the Animal Paradise Family Fun Park. The park reopened in April after it was sold at auction last year. It sounds like a lot of improvements have been made: [T]hey brought in new … Continue reading Paradise returns
Old station keeps holding on
The Edmond (Okla.) Sun has a story about the history of a long-defunct Conoco gas station on Route 66 between Luther and Arcadia, Okla. The station dates to 1926 -- the very beginnings of Route 66. It also has a less-than-sedate past: Unsolved mystery looms there where the body of a murdered man was found … Continue reading Old station keeps holding on
Keep that bridge open
The historic bridge that takes an older alignment of Route 66 into Devil's Elbow, Mo., needs repairs. Without it, many residents of the town would have to drive miles out of their way. This sounds like a slamdunk for state road assistance. But the Waynesville (Mo.) Daily Guide says the county isn't taking chances: Pulaski … Continue reading Keep that bridge open
The sad state of Twin Arrows
The Route 66 truck stop known as Twin Arrows outside of Flagstaff, Ariz., is abandoned and has been deteriorating for years. One of the two giant arrows stuck into the ground has shed its plywood tail. Garbage is littered all over the site. The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff reports that because the Valentine diner … Continue reading The sad state of Twin Arrows
Illinois sees rise in tourism revenues
The state of Illinois broke records for tourism revenue during 2006, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader. Livingston County saw an 8.8 percent increase. The reason? "I think part of the increase in numbers for our county are related to the Route 66 phenomena," Ellie Alexander, Pontiac's tourism director, said about the Illinois figures. "The cooperation … Continue reading Illinois sees rise in tourism revenues