About six months ago, Frank Gifford of rt66pix.com found strong preliminary evidence that indicated Depew, Okla., was the first official Route 66 town bypassed by a later alignment of the Mother Road. This past week, Gifford said he has confirmed that Depew was indeed the first Route 66 community bypassed, in 1928. He calls Depew "the original … Continue reading Confirmed: Depew was first town bypassed by U.S. 66
Category: Highways
Kingman’s Route 66 history
Norman Fisk of Diamond Valley Productions posted this promotional video about Kingman, Ariz. It focuses on the attractions of Route 66 in Kingman, plus a lot of the history and 19th-century pioneer trails that led to the Mother Road. https://youtu.be/jTQK6hPrCcQ
Route 66-inspired rail bridge over Arcadia freeway is finished
The distinctively styled Gold Line Bridge for light rail over Interstate 210 in Arcadia, Calif., finished construction Saturday, according to a news release from the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. The 584-linear-foot sculptured bridge is the largest single public art/transit infrastructure project in California. Guests at the dedication ceremony Saturday were allowed to walk on … Continue reading Route 66-inspired rail bridge over Arcadia freeway is finished
Route 66 advocate and researcher Carl Johnson dies
Carl Johnson, 57, a longtime advocate and researcher for Route 66 in Illinois, died early Wednesday at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill. Health problems had beset Johnson in recent years, and his condition took a turn for the worse in the past week or so, reported several people in the Illinois Route 66 community. … Continue reading Route 66 advocate and researcher Carl Johnson dies
Even parts of Route 66 need better cell-phone coverage
A lot of folks use smartphones today. But more than 1 million residents in the United States still can't use them to a great degree because of the lack of 3G or better wireless coverage in their region. That includes part of Route 66, especially in the West. David Talbot of Technology Review wrote about … Continue reading Even parts of Route 66 need better cell-phone coverage
Northern Arizona University’s report on Route 66
A television program, "Inside NAU," by the Northern Arizona University Network takes a look at Route 66. The Mother Road goes through the university's backyard in Flagstaff. Among the people interviewed is Angel "The Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo and NAU archivist (and Route 66 News reader) Sean Evans. https://youtu.be/SDmHWTnN4YU Unlike history professor Michael Amundson, I don't … Continue reading Northern Arizona University’s report on Route 66
Route 66 Interpretive Plaza in Tulsa is finished
Travelers on Route 66 in Tulsa now have a new, short side trip to check out -- the Route 66 Interpretive Plaza near 11th Street and Mingo Road. The sign in a median at that intersection that directs you to the plaza and the two Route 66 alignments in Tulsa was finished months ago. However, … Continue reading Route 66 Interpretive Plaza in Tulsa is finished
Resident wants big Route 66 design on Joplin intersection
A Joplin, Mo., resident wants to embed a large Route 66 design onto the roadway of the intersection of St. Louis Avenue and Broadway in Joplin, according to the Joplin Globe. Retired firefighter Steve Lea is leading the effort, and says residents have offered to contribute money for it. An assistant Public Works director and … Continue reading Resident wants big Route 66 design on Joplin intersection
Interstate project will restore portion of Route 66
An upcoming project to revamp a busy interchange of Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 in the San Bernardino, Calif., area will restore a long-closed portion of Route 66, reported the Highland Community News. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved an agreement with the California Department of Transportation about the interchange. The … Continue reading Interstate project will restore portion of Route 66
Another tour of Cajon Pass
BackroadsWest.com continues its excellent series about Route 66 in Southern California with this virtual tour of the newer Route 66 alignment through Cajon Pass: https://youtu.be/TM1_qzRnWbM The video about the 1914 alignment of Cajon Pass can be viewed here. A two-part video series about Route 66 from Victorville to Barstow is here. UPDATE: Mike Ward informs … Continue reading Another tour of Cajon Pass