Illinois governor to lead motorcycle ride on Route 66 from Chicago area to Springfield

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will lead his annual Governor's Ride to Springfield of motorcycles on Sept. 23, this time on Route 66 from Chicagoland, The DuKane and Lincoln Land A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois chapters are the official escorts for the ride, according to news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. The ride's finish Sept. … Continue reading Illinois governor to lead motorcycle ride on Route 66 from Chicago area to Springfield

Two big bicycle events to roll across Route 66 in Missouri, Oklahoma

Two large bicycle events are set for hundreds of miles of Route 66 in Missouri and Oklahoma in 2018, and Joplin, Missouri, plays a vital role in both. The annual Oklahoma Freewheel, after beginning in June 10 in the eastern Texas Panhandle, will end its tour June 16 in Joplin. The annual Big BAM, or … Continue reading Two big bicycle events to roll across Route 66 in Missouri, Oklahoma

Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma

Two Route 66 towns in Oklahoma are hosting lectures and screenings from Katrina Parks' "The Women of the Mother Road" website and film documentary project this month. This first will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Carriage House in the Overholser Mansion at 405 NW 15th St. in Oklahoma City (map here). The … Continue reading Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma

Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia

Those who travel to the Round Barn of Arcadia, Oklahoma, on Sunday afternoon are in for a treat -- the historic Route 66 site is hosting a Round Barn Rendezvous music event. All acoustic musicians are invited from noon to 4 p.m. One flyer states: "All banjo players are welcome." A display of antique tractors and … Continue reading Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia

Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16

People along the length of the Mother Road soon will be treated to a unique sight -- a convoy of up to 80 vintage military vehicles making that Chicago-to-Santa Monica trip. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association will begin its 29-day, 2,400-mile journey from the Windy City on Sept. 16 along all the 1926 alignments of Route … Continue reading Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16

Route 66 a reason Trump picked Springfield for speech

U.S. President Donald Trump will give a speech today about tax reform in Springfield, Missouri, and one of the reasons he choose the Ozarks city was because of its historic link to Route 66. According to the Springfield News-Leader, a senior White House official mentioned Route 66 prominently during a conference call with reporters: "This is … Continue reading Route 66 a reason Trump picked Springfield for speech

Veterans memorial trees planned on Route 66 in Barstow, other areas

A Route 66 enthusiast, with the help of a gardening group, plan to plant 3,200 trees along Route 66 to honor veterans, including more than 100 along the Mother Road in Barstow, California. The Desert Dispatch newspaper in Barstow had some of the details: Together with the Incredible Edible Community Garden (IEGC) organization, Conkle is … Continue reading Veterans memorial trees planned on Route 66 in Barstow, other areas

Spindles from old Route 66 bridge to be sold Sept. 22

About 100 limestone spindles, or balusters, taken from a now-demolished Route 66 bridge in Carthage, Missouri, will be sold for $250 apiece on Sept. 22. The Joplin Globe reported the balusters will be sold by the nonprofit Vision Carthage organization during the Art Walk event in Carthage's downtown square. There are no per-person limits. and … Continue reading Spindles from old Route 66 bridge to be sold Sept. 22

Route 66 in St. Clair gets its eclipse kicks

Pacific, Villa Ridge, Cuba, Sullivan, Bourbon, Stanton, Eureka and a few southwest suburbs of St. Louis along Route 66 experienced a total eclipse. But leading the way was St. Clair, Missouri, which had the longest total-eclipse duration on the route of 2 minutes, 41 seconds. Here's a report from KPLR-TV in St. Louis: KSDK-TV in … Continue reading Route 66 in St. Clair gets its eclipse kicks

Hundreds show up in St. Clair two days before total eclipse

Saturday still was two days before the full solar eclipse would occur in the Route 66 town of St. Clair, Missouri, but hundreds of people already had descended there. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported visitors from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, California and elsewhere Saturday. And the bulk of the traffic wasn't even anticipated … Continue reading Hundreds show up in St. Clair two days before total eclipse