While poking around the Vimeo account of Pounds Media, I found this video about the history of the National Road in Illinois, which dates back more than two centuries. https://vimeo.com/32343992 It's a terrific video, and you'll find a number of parallels to Route 66. Also, an alignment of Route 66 overlaps the National Road in … Continue reading “The National Road in Illinois”
Category: Highways
Tijeras accepts byways plan that includes Route 66
The town of Tijeras, N.M., has approved an updated management plan for the Salt Missions Trail Byway, part of which includes Route 66, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The newspaper reported: It is an attempt to protect the histories, cultures and buildings along the Salt Missions Trail — the historic path that runs from Tijeras … Continue reading Tijeras accepts byways plan that includes Route 66
Future of Byways program looks somewhat brighter
The fate of the endangered National Scenic Byways Program looks more optimistic after the U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily passed a bipartisan two-year transportation bill, according to the New York Times and other news outlets. The bill would preserve the Byways program, of which Route 66 and other historic highways have been beneficiaries. However, according to three … Continue reading Future of Byways program looks somewhat brighter
Giving up one Mother Road to emphasize another
I sure would have hated to have been the reporter who had to construct this story in The Herald-News in Joliet, Ill.: The city council last week voted to de-designate Route 59 as it runs through Joliet as part of the Route 66 National Scenic Byway. Instead, the city resolution approved by the council emphasizes … Continue reading Giving up one Mother Road to emphasize another
Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
A small section of Sunset Boulevard (aka Route 66) in the Echo Park neighborhood in Los Angeles is lined with sandstone bluffs. That "cut" dates to an 1887 railroad line to an ostrich farm. No kidding. This video explains: https://youtu.be/szlrNfuRVb0 If you'd like to explore it yourself, here's a Google Map of the location. The … Continue reading Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
Group checks Keystone pipeline’s impact on Route 66
The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline that's supposed to eventually snake through America's mid-section has been cussed and discussed by lawmakers and the media in recent months. Here's a twist to the discussion -- the Oklahoma Archeological Survey conducted a survey to see whether the pipeline will impact any of the state's cultural heritage, including Route … Continue reading Group checks Keystone pipeline’s impact on Route 66
Kickstarter campaign begun for U.S. 40 book
Frank Brusca, a longtime researcher of U.S. 40, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help finish a book about the historic highway he's been working on for decades. This is a little off-topic, but Route 66 fans often are fans of other historic highways, including U.S. 40, aka the National Road. Brusca also has inspired … Continue reading Kickstarter campaign begun for U.S. 40 book
Roadie wins free Phillips 66 fuel for a year
In November, we reported that St. Louis-based roadie Rich Dinkela of HookedonRoute66.com had entered the Local Legends contest sponsored by Phillips 66. The top winner would win $1,000 cash and free gasoline for a year. This was his video: https://youtu.be/4YN9Efq65nU The winners have been announced, and Dinkela finished third. He earned no cash, but he … Continue reading Roadie wins free Phillips 66 fuel for a year
Where is the western end of Route 66?
Dan Rice, owner of the 66-to-Cali souvenir shop on the Santa Monica Pier, does a very good job answering that question. The western terminus of the Mother Road has a complicated history: https://youtu.be/BTY26SpkNAc
Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail