The north side of Springfield, Illinois, is struggling economically because of a decrease in Route 66 tourism there, reported WRSP-TV. Apparently the situation has declined so much, alderman John Fulgenzi has met with the mayor's office and congressmen to figure out what to do about Peoria Road, aka Route 66. In the mid-20th century, if you ever … Continue reading North Springfield suffers from a drop in tourism
Category: Businesses
More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac
Anthony Reichardt recently posted more videos from 1994 and 1995 when he drove Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The first is of the Hackberry General Store in Hackberry, Arizona, when it was owned and operated by the now-deceased Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. When you hear him talk about bats, you know you're listening … Continue reading More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac
Former president of Frankoma Pottery dies
Joniese Frank, the daughter of Frankoma Pottery's founder and president and CEO of the company along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, for almost 20 years, died at age 77 on Wednesday, according to the Tulsa World. John Frank established Frankoma Pottery in 1933 in Norman, Oklahoma, before moving it to Sapulpa. She took over as … Continue reading Former president of Frankoma Pottery dies
DWI suspect damages historic gas station in Los Lunas
A suspected inebriated driver crashed into a smoke shop in Los Lunas, New Mexico, that is known as the Otero's 66 Service station that dates to 1923. A story in the Valencia County News-Bulletin reports Brandon Padilla, 26, of Los Lunas was traveling west on Main Street when he ran a red light at the … Continue reading DWI suspect damages historic gas station in Los Lunas
Many of the “66 bookstores on Route 66” aren’t on 66
A recent Associated Press article reported about used bookstores along Route 66. Specifically cited in the article are 5th Street Books in Kingman, Arizona; Downtown Books and The Book Case in Albuquerque; Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California; and Selected Works Used Books and Sheet Music in Chicago -- all of which are on Route 66 … Continue reading Many of the “66 bookstores on Route 66” aren’t on 66
Is the Gold Dome leaking?
Over the weekend, a video by Diana Winslow surfaced that shows water damage around the exterior of Oklahoma City's historic Gold Dome, indicating a roof leak or drainage problems. https://youtu.be/W1kcs8gZj3c Winslow works for Examiner.com, but I've seen no story about this yet. Regardless, the video speaks for itself. And she asks an important question -- … Continue reading Is the Gold Dome leaking?
Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
A neon sign for OK Used Cars that dates to about 1960 recently was restored and re-installed at Dunton Motors Dream Machines along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley reports the sign was relighted Friday. A recent news release from the Route 66 Association of Kingman says an official relighting ceremony is … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Kingman dealership
Old Riverton Store’s hired help
KSN / KODE-TV scared up this neat story from the Old Riverton Store, once known as Eisler Bros. Store, along Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas. Forrest Nelson, 93, works nearly seven days a week at the Old Riverton Store. He rings up customers, goes to the bank or the post office. Nelson will also talk … Continue reading Old Riverton Store’s hired help
Albuquerque businesses try to halt mayor’s rapid-transit plan
A group of businesses along Albuquerque's Central Avenue are trying to put the brakes on the mayor's ambitious plan to install a $100 million rapid-transit bus system along the corridor. Mayor Richard Berry wants to dedicate two lanes of Central, aka Route 66, along a 10-mile stretch for a series of buses that would mimic … Continue reading Albuquerque businesses try to halt mayor’s rapid-transit plan
Hopi Travel Plaza near Holbrook undergoes renovations
The Hopi Travel Plaza, a fixture along Route 66 near Holbrook, Arizona, for nearly 40 years -- partly because of its eye-catching dinosaur statues -- is undergoing much-needed and extensive renovations, according to the Arizona Journal. The plaza's new general manager, Kelly Jarvis, acknowledged to the newspaper the facility was "going down, spiraling desperately out … Continue reading Hopi Travel Plaza near Holbrook undergoes renovations