The Old Joliet Prison has drawn a total of 14,181 visitors for tours and events since opening to the public in August 2018, according to the Joliet Historical Museum. The 19th-century prison, known officially as the former Joliet Correctional Center, also generated $407,654 in revenue, a report in The Herald-News stated. The net revenue of … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison draws 14,000 visitors since opening in August 2018
Category: Events
Caretakers of Road Runner’s Retreat organizing another work session Oct. 18-20
The caretakers for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, have organized another work session Oct. 18-20 and are offering commemorative T-shirts to fund it. The T-shirts designed by Minnesota-based graphic artist Gina Hoelscher, who has lent her skills to other Route 66 events and preservation projects, can be yours by donating $30 … Continue reading Caretakers of Road Runner’s Retreat organizing another work session Oct. 18-20
Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
This weekend's 49th annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln, Illinois, will attempt to break a world record for the most people dressed as Honest Abe in one place. According to a news release about the Sept. 21-22 festival: The public is invited by the Logan County Tourism Bureau to help break the World … Continue reading Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
The years-long restoration of the Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, culminated with its gala reopening Saturday. Visit Santa Rosa New Mexico posted the relighting of the marquee and other images from Saturday night: As you can see from this performance, the revitalized Pecos is being used as a performance venue as well … Continue reading Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
“Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
Candacy Taylor, author of a forthcoming book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published from the 1930s to the '60s, will be the keynote speaker during the fifth annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 17-20. Taylor soon will publish "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and theRoots of Black Travel … Continue reading “Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
The filmmakers of the "Almost Ghosts" documentary have announced more screenings of the film at several historic theaters on or near Route 66. A screen-capture image of Angel Delgadillo in the "Almost Ghosts" film. The Flagstaff screening will feature one of the film's subjects, Angel "Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo, speaking before the movie. At … Continue reading More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
Re-creation of monument marks Camp Cajon’s 100th anniversary
Several weeks ago, the dedication of a replica of Camp Cajons original monument marked the 100th anniversary of the camp along Cajon Pass in Southern California. The event was during the July 4 holiday, but a story didn't appear in the San Bernardino County Sun until mid-August. History columnist Mark Landis provided a thumbnail history … Continue reading Re-creation of monument marks Camp Cajon’s 100th anniversary
Oklahoma Tourism, film company making road-trip films, including Route 66
Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and Broken Arrow-based Retrospec Films announced they would launch a year-long series of road-trip films, including Route 66. On Wednesday, they uploaded a film that featured the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Pops in Arcadia and Living Kitchen in Depew -- all along Route 66. https://youtu.be/ZcCXbbMYBAE The … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism, film company making road-trip films, including Route 66
Moriarty hosting New Mexico Route 66 Film Fest featuring 66-second videos
The Route 66 town of Moriarty, New Mexico, next month is hosting the New Mexico Route 66 Film Festival that features 66-second films people can upload for submission. The festival is part of the 66th birthday celebration of Moriarty and nearby Buford, when both towns were incorporated (Buford later was annexed into Moriarty). The Sixty-Six … Continue reading Moriarty hosting New Mexico Route 66 Film Fest featuring 66-second videos
The Outsiders House Museum opens in Tulsa
A key actor in the film, the novel's author and the savior of the home cut the ribbon last week to symbolize the opening of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa. "The Outsiders" author S.E. Hinton; C. Thomas Howell, who portrayed Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 film adaptation; and rapper Danny O'Connor, who renovated the … Continue reading The Outsiders House Museum opens in Tulsa