Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year

The historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, will mark its 90th year with a big New Year's Eve concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and an expanded number of classic-movie screenings and plenty of concerts through 2016, according to the Springfield News-Leader. A total of 12 to 15 films will be screened next year, … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year

Online auction for Shea’s Museum items begins today

More than 200 items from the closed Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, are going up for auction online today. If you can't bid right away, no worries -- the auction continues through Nov. 22. The link to the auction site by Darrell L. Adcock Auction Service is here. I surfed over the the … Continue reading Online auction for Shea’s Museum items begins today

12 useful tips for traveling Route 66

By Emily Priddy During the recent Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, guidebook authors Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan offered advice for travelers planning a trip on the road. Here are some of the suggestions they offered during the hourlong session: Do your homework ahead of time, and go beyond guidebooks — learn the … Continue reading 12 useful tips for traveling Route 66

Nob Hill unveils centennial mural

Nob Hill doesn't celebrate its 100th anniversary until next year, but that didn't stop the Albuquerque Route 66 neighborhood east of downtown from celebrating a bit early with a new mural, according to a report by KOAT-TV. Stretched across the side of Satellite Coffee, the mural takes viewers on a historical ride though Nob Hill, … Continue reading Nob Hill unveils centennial mural

“Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”

Author Susan Croce Kelly began her "Father of Route 66: Cy Avery" presentation during the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, by imagining what would have happened if Edwardsville hosted a good-roads conference 100 years ago. The city, which had about 5,000 residents, probably would have drawn a number of attendees well beyond the town's … Continue reading “Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”

“Route 66 in Illinois”

The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”

“Route 66 Bicycle Tourism”

By Emily Priddy Route 66 communities looking for ways to attract tourists with a fondness for mom-and-pop businesses might want to start courting cyclists. S.J. Morrison, director of marketing and planning for Madison County Transit in Illinois, said trail users in his area spend an average of more than $30 each at restaurants, gas stations … Continue reading “Route 66 Bicycle Tourism”

“Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”

A marketing professor revealed a little-known word -- anemoia -- he'd discovered only in the past year that probably explains why many people explore Route 66. Nick Gerlich, a professor at West Texas A&M and an avid explorer of old Route 66, explained during his presentation Oct. 31 at the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, that anemoia … Continue reading “Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”

“The Hidden Voices of Route 66”

David Dunaway's keynote speech, "The Hidden Voices of Route 66," to begin the Miles of Possibility: The Edwardsville Route 66 Conference on Oct. 27 at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, set a candid tone for much of the weekend's presentations. Using audio clips from his "Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story" audio program and excerpts … Continue reading “The Hidden Voices of Route 66”

Gateway Arch marks 50th year

Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch, the best-known symbol for the city of St. Louis. Indeed, it's one of the most famous monuments in the world, and although it isn't on Route 66, it remains a popular destination for tourists who are traveling the Mother Road. Much of the … Continue reading Gateway Arch marks 50th year