The World's Largest Catsup Bottle, a landmark for decades in Collinsville, Illinois, has been put up for sale and faces a cloudy future, according to several St. Louis-area media outlets. KPLR-TV posted this story today (the video isn't embeddable). The Metro Independent, based in Collinsville, also had this report today: Bethel-Eckert Enterprises Inc., owners of the warehouse below … Continue reading World’s Largest Catsup Bottle up for sale
Category: Businesses
A chat with Melba Rigg
Melba Rigg, one of the original proprietors of 4 Women on the Route, now Cars on the Route, in Galena, Kansas, explains the region's Route 66 tie-ins to the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movie and makes some other observations. This video is part of KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series. https://youtu.be/keOmEUPWo4E Rigg didn't always talk … Continue reading A chat with Melba Rigg
A new hill rises north of Galena
The bad news is Galena, Kansas, is home to a new hazardous waste dump north of town just off old Route 66. The good news is the hill of contaminated soil is covered with native grass, and people who have seen the finished product say it's not as ugly or as obtrusive as feared. Renee … Continue reading A new hill rises north of Galena
New Goodwill store in Tulsa doubles as a Route 66 souvenir shop
The new Goodwill Industries of Tulsa store on Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) in southwest Tulsa last week. The opening was a few weeks later than anticipated because of weather-related construction delays. As we previously reported, the Goodwill store's design takes a page from Route 66 and Tulsa history with a retro-looking sign in the … Continue reading New Goodwill store in Tulsa doubles as a Route 66 souvenir shop
2014 inductees to Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Three inductees -- including a previously announced historic bar in Edwardsville -- were announced to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame during the Illinois Route 66 Association's Motor Tour last month. Detail on the inductees may be read here. Here's a brief overview of each: Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern, Edwardsville -- Sicilian immigrants Frank and … Continue reading 2014 inductees to Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Fire destroys Commerce antiques business
The Route 66 Treasure Chest antique store in downtown Commerce, Oklahoma, was destroyed by fire on the Fourth of July, reported KODE-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri. It took about two hours Friday night to bring the fire under control. The business was at 501 Commerce St., which is old Route 66 through town. According to … Continue reading Fire destroys Commerce antiques business
A history of Bama Pies
If you drive through Route 66 in Tulsa, you'll probably notice a big beige building on the north side of 11th Street with the name Bama Pies. It is part of The Bama Companies. This well-produced video by the company shows how it expanded from its mom-and-pop roots to becoming a multinational corporation. Even if … Continue reading A history of Bama Pies
Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
The long-planned Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, will open Tuesday, and it already has weddings booked, reported the Quay County Sun newspaper. The chapel will be in the Mother Road Old Time Photos business, run by Leigh and Rhys Williams, at 824 E. Route 66 across the road from the historic Blue … Continue reading Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
Amarillo bar may set record for most beers on tap
In a large but nondescript-looking building on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, is a sports bar that's only a dozen or so brews away from apparently breaking a national record for offering the most draft beers on tap. The I Don't Know Sports Bar and Grill, also known as IDK, is housed in a 1928 … Continue reading Amarillo bar may set record for most beers on tap
New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license
The Quay County Sun newspaper last week published a well-researched story that speculates why the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, hasn't been awarded a license from the state to build a horse-racing track and casino, despite a license being available for more than a year. The proposed Coronado Park racino in Tucumcari calls for … Continue reading New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license