Antique truck show will feature Campbell 66 Express

The American Truck Historical Society's National Convention in Springfield, Mo., not only will feature cruises and speech on Route 66, but a speaker about the town's long-closed Campbell 66 Express trucking firm, according to news release from the society and its website. The convention, scheduled for May 29-31 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, will include … Continue reading Antique truck show will feature Campbell 66 Express

A chat with a Texola business owner

KC Keefer, as part of his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" series, talks to Masel Zimmerman of the Tumbleweeds Grill and Country Store in the Route 66 ghost town of Texola, Okla. https://youtu.be/S6KJ-9yQReU About a year ago, Zimmerman took a 1930s building, Water Hole #2, and converted it into a personal art gallery, plus a … Continue reading A chat with a Texola business owner

Old-time photo studio opens across from Blue Swallow Motel

An old-time-style photography studio has opened across the road from the landmark Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. The couple that opened those businesses also plan to eventually open a Route 66 wedding chapel in that space. Here is one of the sets Mother Road Old Time Photos uses: According to a story in the Tucumcari-based … Continue reading Old-time photo studio opens across from Blue Swallow Motel

Southwest Missouri station puts Route 66 segments online

Years ago, KY3-TV reporter Ed Fillmer, a native of the Route 66 town of Marshfield, Mo., shot segments about Route 66 in Missouri. Yesterday, the Springfield, Mo., station put those segments online. The video cannot be embedded, but I've provided direct links and descriptions of them. Some of these videos date to the 1970s. I recommend … Continue reading Southwest Missouri station puts Route 66 segments online

Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?

A historian with the National Park Service is searching for surviving buildings once listed in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" travel directory from 1936 to 1964, and he's asking for roadies' help in finding them along Route 66. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an annual guidebook for black drivers during the Jim Crow era. … Continue reading Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?

Waynesville candy shop’s promotion leads to controversy and publicity

Today, the Route 66 Candy Shoppe in Waynesville, Mo., will give free fudge to any customer who weighs 300 pounds to mark Fat Tuesday. KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., (video is at the link) reported it as a stunt -- and reported a bit of a controversy: The owners say it's a fun, light hearted way … Continue reading Waynesville candy shop’s promotion leads to controversy and publicity

A chat with the operator of Texas Ivy Antiques

In his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series, KC Keefer interviewed Dora Meroney, operator of Texas Ivy Antiques along the Sixth Street Historic District (aka Route 66) in Amarillo. https://youtu.be/YT3wV3Cx1-I Not only does Meroney sell Route 66 memorabilia and other items in a converted 1920s house, but she serves as president of the Old … Continue reading A chat with the operator of Texas Ivy Antiques

Williams committees send mixed messages to Route 66 Zipline

https://youtu.be/wBzLYDQbK3o By tomorrow, we should know whether the Route 66 Zipline will continue to run in Williams, Ariz. Recent votes by two commissions offer little guidance on how the city council will vote. That's because the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously voted earlier this month to deny the business a special-use permit. However, the Planning and Zoning … Continue reading Williams committees send mixed messages to Route 66 Zipline

Route 66 Wind project east of Amarillo secures financing

Boston-based First Wind announced Wednesday it had obtained $206 million in financing for its Route 66 Wind energy project in Armstrong and Carson counties near Amarillo, according to a news release from the company. First Wind obtained financing help from Morgan Stanley and Santander Bank. The new wind farm will be capable of generating 150 megawatts, which … Continue reading Route 66 Wind project east of Amarillo secures financing

A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building

This article was going to be primarily about a new candy shop in downtown Waynesville, Mo. More on that later. But first, it's intriguing how the shop's landlord transformed a vacant lot with a new building that manages to sport an attractive but old-fashioned look. It is Roubidoux Square at 115 N. Benton St. (map … Continue reading A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building