Developers seek to buy a piece of land from the Grand Canyon Railway and build a $700 million theme park in the Route 66 town of Williams, Ariz., reports the Arizona Daily Sun. It sounds like an awfully ambitious plan, however. Developers think they can draw 8 million to 10 million visitors to theme park, … Continue reading Theme park proposed in Williams, Arizona
Category: Businesses
Kingman, Arizona, sees tourism boom
Not only are tourists visiting the Route 66 desert town of Kingman, Ariz., but many of them are staying -- for good, the Kingman Daily Miner reports. According to the story, mailings of tourism packets have nearly doubled in a year. Motel taxes are on track to easily beat the previous record. Hits on Kingman's … Continue reading Kingman, Arizona, sees tourism boom
Party in a silver bullet
To heck with limousines. Inspired by a trip on Route 66, a Scottish couple have tricked out a vintage Airstream trailer, called Little Vegas, so it can be rented out for birthday parties, festivals and weddings. It contains a bar, jukebox, casino tables and leather sofas. The price? A cool 500 British pounds a night, … Continue reading Party in a silver bullet
Byway is the highway
The Oakville-Mehlville Journal in Missouri reported additional details about Route 66 in Missouri recently being designated a scenic byway. We reported about the initial announcement in November. The Route 66 Association of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Transportation worked for several years to acquire the designation. Scenic byway status allows communities and groups to … Continue reading Byway is the highway
Jumping on the bandwagon
Star Gonzales, executive director of the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, told the Gallup (N.M.) Independent that she wants to establish a county-line-to-county-line "gateway" to draw travelers onto old Route 66. "We want to see it extend from (the Bernalillo) county line to (the McKinley) county line by establishing a gateway at the east end … Continue reading Jumping on the bandwagon
Residents of Atlanta, Ill., come through
Today's Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a group of Atlanta, Ill., residents has made a $10,000 matching offer toward the Atlanta Library centennial campaign. The centennial celebration is raising funds to restore the Downey building (ed. note: it houses the Palms Grill), a National Register property located along old Route 66 in downtown Atlanta. The building … Continue reading Residents of Atlanta, Ill., come through
Gallop to Gallup
The Salt Lake Tribune has two features in its weekend travel section about the Route 66 town of Gallup, N.M., with emphasis on the El Rancho Hotel, Red Rock State Park, the High Desert Trail System, Mentmore Rock Climbing Area and Earl's Restaurant.
Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered
Route 66 travelers driving west into Yukon, Okla., typically have been greeted by the huge grain elevators and a big lighted sign, "Yukon's Best Flour." Now the Daily Oklahoman reports that the elevators are up for sale for $1.75 million. The reason? Urban sprawl around Oklahoma City has greatly reduced wheat acreage in the region. … Continue reading Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered
Help the big doughnut
The Route 66 Mother Road Museum of Barstow, Calif., is raising money to move the historic 1948 Winchell's Donut sign to the Museum of Neon Art of Los Angeles. The sign is being displayed at Soutar's Dodge in Barstow until Dec. 21. A small story about the fundraising effort is here. There's a good picture … Continue reading Help the big doughnut
Grand Canyon Caverns
Hesperia Star columnist Richard Doornbos writes a nice summary about Grand Canyon Caverns, on old Route 66 near Peach Springs, Ariz. You also can learn about the caverns at its Web site here.