Wrink's Food Market, a longtime Route 66 business in Lebanon, Mo., until the death of its owner in 2005, is being prepared for a possible reopening in July, with a grand reopening likely around Labor Day weekend. Wrink's Market, which was a sort of dime store and food mart, had been operated by the ever-affable … Continue reading Wrink’s Market may reopen next month
Category: Businesses
Fire destroys Tucumcari building
The Sands Dorsey Drugstore building in the downtown area of the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., was destroyed by fire Friday. The building was not on Route 66, but the nearly century-old building at Second and Main streets was a landmark. The building was home to Gallery 111, owned by artists Doug and Sharon … Continue reading Fire destroys Tucumcari building
It was one year ago today …
One year ago today, Disney-Pixar released a new animated movie, "Cars." The movie starred Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, George Carlin and Cheech Marin. The film had another star that wasn't listed on marquees, but loomed large -- Route 66. The film grossed $460 million worldwide, won two Golden Globes … Continue reading It was one year ago today …
Photo hunting on Route 66
The New York Times reports on a new travel-industry twist -- photography safaris. Combining guided tours to exotic locales with hands-on instruction, photo safaris seek to turn the everyday Ofoto user into a budding Ansel Adams. “They are a huge and growing market,” said Reid Callanan, the director of Sante Fe Workshops (www.santafeworkshops.com), a photography … Continue reading Photo hunting on Route 66
Does Galena have a future?
Last summer, the historic Green Parrot tavern along Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was damaged when a giant sinkhole opened up behind the property. The hole was caused by the collapse of one of the old underground lead mines that dot the city. Today, an article in the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World & News confirms what … Continue reading Does Galena have a future?
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced
The current summer issue of The 66 News, published by the Route 66 Association of Illinois, announces its 2007 inductees to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. They are: Joy Henderson, former owner of Archie's Standard Service in Pontiac (1956-63) and the Hilltop Cafe in Cayuga (1963-65). Henderson is now 74. (The Pontiac Leader … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced
Route 66 visitors center holds grand opening
KFJX-TV reports on the grand opening of the new Route 66 Visitors Welcome Center in Carterville, Mo. The building, in an old gas station, contains a souvenir shop, Wi-Fi Internet access and other amenities for those traveling on the Mother Road. The building also serves as Rod Harsh's office for his video production business and … Continue reading Route 66 visitors center holds grand opening
Hillbilly sign returns at Mule Trading Post
The Mule Trading Post near Rolla, Mo., blessed by energetic new owners, tracked down an old hillbilly sign that once graced the Hillbilly Store and brought it back from the dead, reports the Rolla Daily News. The hillbilly sign now stands in front of a new tobacco barn they opened Memorial Day weekend, just next … Continue reading Hillbilly sign returns at Mule Trading Post
The good ol’ days weren’t always good
People who know of my fascination with Route 66 occasionally ask me whether I would have preferred to live in an era when the Mother Road was more vibrant, where I could see long-gone motels and businesses open and prospering again. I admit that if a time machine were available, I would visit the 1950s … Continue reading The good ol’ days weren’t always good
Route 66 Festival notes
The National Route 66 Festival is coming up in a few weeks in Clinton, Okla., on June 21-24, and here are a few items related to that event: -- The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a hands-on historic preservation project at the former Ray's Motel at 720 S. Eighth St. in Clinton from 11 … Continue reading Route 66 Festival notes