Springfield museum extending Route 66 exhibit

If you missed the Route 66 exhibit at the History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo., you're in luck. This week, the museum announced, because of popular demand, "Woodruff's Dream: The Mother Road through Springfield" will be extended to Feb. 2. According to KOLR-TV: The Museum's special Route 66 has been on display since … Continue reading Springfield museum extending Route 66 exhibit

Michael Wallis to speak about segregated road travel

This could be interesting. Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road," will give a lecture tomorrow at the Tulsa Historical Society titled "No 'Good Old Days' for Everyone" -- using the "Negro Motorist Green Book." As automobile use became more prolific in the 1930s, many Americans enjoyed traveling the U.S. for leisure. While … Continue reading Michael Wallis to speak about segregated road travel

Litchfield planning a half-marathon race on Route 66

Litchfield, Ill., is planning a half-marathon, a five-kilometer and a children's race on Route 66 in November, reported The Journal-News. Litchfield Tourism Advisory Committee member Shannon Simpson-Hall said the road races came about through the suggestion of residents. The newspaper reported: While plans for this year are still in the works, at least until final … Continue reading Litchfield planning a half-marathon race on Route 66

Take a look at History Museum on the Square’s relighted sign

The rooftop neon sign at the History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Mo., was relighted Thursday night, as you can see from the photo above. Here's a video of the relighting, courtesy of the City of Springfield: And KY3 television provided some valuable context about the history of the sign. The sign was … Continue reading Take a look at History Museum on the Square’s relighted sign

History Museum on the Square’s sign is going up

Yesterday, we told you about the neon relighting ceremony that would occur tonight at the History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo. On Wednesday, workers were installing the refabricated sign on the museum's roof, which used to be Barth's department store: According to KOLR-TV: The iconic sign had been part of the square since … Continue reading History Museum on the Square’s sign is going up

Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday

The History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo., is hosting a "Moon Over the Mother Road" ceremony Thursday night to mark the relighting of Barth's Department Store neon sign on the roof of the museum. It's a private fundraiser, but enough side streets will be open during the ceremony that most people will see … Continue reading Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday

Businessman wants bicycle trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Joplin

Steve Bolek, a business owner in Baxter Springs, Kan., is organizing a fundraiser to build a bicycle and pedestrian trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Galena, Kan. -- maybe even to Joplin, Mo., reported the Joplin Globe. Bolek said Friday he has been working on finding grants and support for the trail for … Continue reading Businessman wants bicycle trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Joplin

Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles marks 35th year

The Wagon Wheel Restaurant on Route 66 in Needles, Calif., marked its 35th anniversary on Aug. 1, according to the Needles Desert Star, although a restaurant has been on that site for longer than that. The restaurant used the day for various special meals and drinks to commemorate 35 years. Customers also could get added … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles marks 35th year

Kingman already making plans for 2014 festival

The Route 66 Alliance announced Friday that Kingman, Ariz., would be the host city for the 2014 International Route 66 Festival. The Aug. 13-17 festival is more than a year away. But based on a Sunday report in the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper, the town already is preparing for it.  It will include events at … Continue reading Kingman already making plans for 2014 festival

Notes from the Route 66 festival

This post will be a placekeeper of tidbits and news from the just-completed International Route 66 Festival in Joplin, Mo. First off, here's an unedited video from the Friday part of the festival weekend that includes Gary Turner at Gay Parita station and the Boots Motel: https://youtu.be/OrQ2crgmiWY Longtime roadie Jennifer Bremer posted about 130 photos … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 festival