Dale's Ole 66 Barber Shop, at Utica Street and Euclid Avenue in Joplin, Mo., was designated a historical landmark by the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission, reports the Joplin Globe. The city will put up a sign outside the shop denoting its status. Any further changes planned for the building must be approved by the commission. … Continue reading Joplin barbershop designated a historic landmark
Category: Businesses
Illinois Hall of Fame needs nominees
The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac is seeking nominations for its Class of 2007, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader. Nominations may be submitted to: Route 66 Association of Illinois, Attention: Hall of Fame Committee, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL 61764. Deadline for receiving the applications is March 10. Induction ceremonies will … Continue reading Illinois Hall of Fame needs nominees
Way to go, SUV driver
A historic building on Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., was torn down Wednesday, essentially because of a careless SUV driver a few weeks ago. According to the Carthage Press, the Route 66 Antique Mall and Flea Market on Oak Street was demolished. It was built in 1944 to house the Harel Griffith Pontiac dealership. It … Continue reading Way to go, SUV driver
Caravan country
Edith Grove with the Duke City Fix has an interesting article about Caravan East, a country-music club on Central Avenue (Route 66) in east Albuquerque. The sign outside says it was voted "America's #1 Country Music Night Club." I'm guessing that vote took place around 1972. But the large pictures of Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt … Continue reading Caravan country
Winslow, such a fine sight to see
The New York Times has an excellent article about the rebirth of the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz. When my wife and I first visited the town in 2001, it seemed a bit down on its luck. But the story indicates that things are looking up after a long decline. Empty storefronts still dot … Continue reading Winslow, such a fine sight to see
Drive-through window
The Painted Desert Trading Company along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., was damaged when a vehicle spun out of control during a traffic accident and went through the front window of the business, according to the Arizona Daily Sun. The link to the article has a photo of the damage. No injuries were reported, and … Continue reading Drive-through window
Exotic Animal Paradise will open under new name
According to a Marshfield (Mo.) Mail story posted today, the new owner of the land where the Exotic Animal Paradise once sat off Route 66 in Strafford is going to reopen the attraction as Animal Paradise Family Fun Park. The planned reopening is April 1, despite a recent ice storm that damaged many of the … Continue reading Exotic Animal Paradise will open under new name
A visit to Nob Hill in Albuquerque
The folks at TurnHere.com, a travel site about "cool places," have produced a three-minute video about the Nob Hill district along Route 66 in Albuquerque that captures the neighborhood's funkiness, eclecticism and home-grown vibe as well as anything I can think of. Check it out:
Kicks in Amarillo
This recent story in the entertainment section of the Amarillo Globe-News does a decent job of summing up the Route 66 attractions in the Texas Panhandle's largest city.
From brownfields to green
Jason Zasky of Failure magazine has updated us about Arizona's program of cleaning up leaking underground fuel tanks at abandoned gas stations along Route 66. Not only has the program rectified toxic "brownfields" along the Mother Road, but it has given local economies a shot in the arm. "A lot of businesses are starting to … Continue reading From brownfields to green