Fewer international travelers came to the United States during the first quarter of 2017. But two Route 66 landmarks that keep visitor records reported stable or higher numbers for the year to date over the previous year. U.S. Department of Commerce data show a decrease of 4.2 percent of international visitors during the first three … Continue reading Is Route 66 immune from the international travel slump?
Category: Businesses
Dozens protest plan to demolish Classen Circle
Representatives from Braum's got an earful from dozens of people Monday night who protested the Oklahoma company's plan to demolish historic Classen Circle in Oklahoma City to make way for one of its restaurants. However, Braum's reps said the company would move forward with the plan after meeting with its officials to report the details … Continue reading Dozens protest plan to demolish Classen Circle
Tulsa soon will see a distillery open on Route 66
Red Fork Distillery in southwest Tulsa hopes to have its products of the shelves of liquor stores by the end of the year. The distillery at 3310 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66) plans to produce vodka, whiskey, gin and even moonshine, according to the What the Ale blog published by the Tulsa World newspaper. Red … Continue reading Tulsa soon will see a distillery open on Route 66
A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire
The cause of a fire that destroyed dozens of vintage cars and a large building last month at Country Classic Cars near Staunton, Illinois, remains undetermined, but a new report reveals one possibility. An insurance-industry publication called Claims Journal this week reported interesting facts about the blaze: --- The fire destroyed a total of 143 cars in … Continue reading A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire
Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle
A community hearing over the fate of the historic Classen Circle in Oklahoma City will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Crown Heights Christian Church in the city. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, city councilman Ed Shadid announced the meeting late last week. The Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy chain had promised such a … Continue reading Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle
Museum Club in Flagstaff closes abruptly
The Museum Club, a Route 66 landmark in Flagstaff, Arizona, since 1931, closed with little warning Monday night, and its future appears uncertain. The Facebook page for the Museum Club posted this message about midday Monday: NO MEMORABILIA IS BEING SOLD INDIVIDUALLY OR IS ANYTHING BEING ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MUSEUM CLUB!!! YES … Continue reading Museum Club in Flagstaff closes abruptly
Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage
Unexpected work on a bridge on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) east of Carthage, Missouri, has disputed traffic into that city. The Missouri Department of Transportation began work on the bridge in mid-August. The agency is detouring large-vehicle traffic to Interstate 44, which disrupts Route 66 travelers. The bridge work won't be finished until November. … Continue reading Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage
Guinness certifies world’s largest belt buckle in Uranus, Missouri
The Uranus, Missouri complex (actually near St. Robert, Missouri) mostly is known for its silly but attention-getting name and mildly scatological puns associated with it. Now it's known as the honest-to-goodness home of the world's largest belt buckle. Louie Keen, owner and "The Mayor" of Uranus, Missouri, received word Tuesday his belt buckle that measures … Continue reading Guinness certifies world’s largest belt buckle in Uranus, Missouri
Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers
The owner of Cool Springs Camp, on Oatman Road, aka old Route 66, between Oatman and Kingman, Arizona, needs a caretaker to look over the historic property. Owner Ned Leutchner said one caretaker he enlisted early last year is moving to Colorado to set up a Wounded Warrior retreat, and another is moving on to … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers
Two historic properties for sale in Galena, Tucumcari
In the past week or so, we've stumbled onto historic properties along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, and Tucumcari, New Mexico, that might interest a prospective entrepreneur for not a lot of money. The Tucumcari property once was the Jerry's Liquors store. It also once was a tattoo shop and a grocery store. Records indicate the … Continue reading Two historic properties for sale in Galena, Tucumcari