Susan Croce Kelly, well-known among Route 66 fans for co-writing "Route 66: The Highway and Its People" with photographer Quinta Scott in 1988, will publish a biography about Cyrus Avery, the so-called Father of Route 66, in 2014. The Avery book will be published by University of Oklahoma Press. Asked to describe her forthcoming volume, Kelly wrote … Continue reading Biography about Cyrus Avery coming next year
Category: Highways
Repairs being made on historic Route 66 near Springfield
A 1.3-mile stretch of old Route 66 near Springfield, Ill., that is on the National Register of Historic Places is being carefully repaired this week by county road crews, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The 1920s section, called Olde Carriage Way, is south of East Lake Shore Drive south of Lake Springfield. Much of … Continue reading Repairs being made on historic Route 66 near Springfield
“Blacktop”
This song by Alan Jackson comes from his new bluegrass album, which is drawing praise from a lot of corners. https://youtu.be/xe0CZxfS-fw The lyrics sound like something you'd hear from an old rancher who grew up near Jericho Gap (aka dirt-road Route 66) in the Texas Panhandle. (Image of the Jericho Gap by TheRogue, via Flickr)
“The American Dream and the American Drive”
Longtime roadie Kathy Anderson produced this film for the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Okla. Using Route 66 as a springboard, it shows how highways evolved in the United States. You'll probably see a few familiar faces: The American Dream, The American Drive from Kathy Anderson on Vimeo. Anderson explained more of the … Continue reading “The American Dream and the American Drive”
Proposed freeway may affect Route 66, landmarks
A proposed Illiana Expressway that will connect Interstate 55 to Interstate 65 near Gary, Ind., may affect Route 66 and other historic landmarks in Wilmington, Ill., reported The Herald-News of Joliet, Ill. Virginia Ferry, chairwoman of the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, told the newspaper she is determined to mitigate those effects. “I know we … Continue reading Proposed freeway may affect Route 66, landmarks
Washouts close portion of Oatman Road in Arizona
Frank Gifford at rt66pix.com informs me that a part of Oatman Road (aka Route 66) in western Arizona is closed for probably several weeks because of washouts from heavy rains. The closed road begins at the "Y" intersection south of Oatman and extends from Mile 6 to Mile 22. The road will remain closed perhaps … Continue reading Washouts close portion of Oatman Road in Arizona
Interesting observation from a Chinese tourist
We've reported about the growing numbers of Chinese tourists traveling Route 66. A few days ago, Chinese winners of a General Motors contest to travel the Mother Road drove through Kingman, Ariz. Naturally, when you're behind the wheel for long stretches in an unfamiliar land, you start to think about the contrasts of your homeland. … Continue reading Interesting observation from a Chinese tourist
Route 66 is subject of “America: Fact vs. Fiction” episode
An episode Wednesday of the "America: Fact vs. Fiction" program on the Military Channel will include Route 66 as its subject matter, according to an email from one of the show's creators. Joel Sturdivant interviewed "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis as part of the episode. The 30-minute show, subtitled "Roadside Stories," will … Continue reading Route 66 is subject of “America: Fact vs. Fiction” episode
Exploring Two Guns
A couple of chums on motorcycles explore the ruins of the Route 66 ghost town of Two Guns, Ariz., which once was the home to a gas station and a wild-animal zoo. https://youtu.be/0UhAXqfnmwE More about Two Guns may be read here.
Ground broken on interchange project that restores part of Route 66
The California Department of Transportation held a ceremonial groundbreaking last week for building a new interchange for Interstates 15 and 215 near Devore that includes restoring a part of Route 66 to traffic, reported the Highland Community News. The $324 million project adds truck by-pass lanes and one travel lane in each direction -- all to … Continue reading Ground broken on interchange project that restores part of Route 66