This video clip from the 2006 documentary "Route 66 by Bicycle: Pedaling the Mother Road" tells about a fascinating section of abandoned Route 66 near Arcadia, Okla., that's been put up for sale -- in 1-foot sections for $66 apiece. Better yet, the cyclists actually got to travel down the old road a bit. The … Continue reading For sale, piece by piece
Category: Highways
Accounting the past to plan for the future
This story Monday by the Press-Enterprise explains as well as any the importance behind an ongoing comprehensive study of Route 66 in California. An excerpt: The report can then be used to help property owners apply for state and federal historic grants or listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Rather than each site … Continue reading Accounting the past to plan for the future
Book review: “Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis”
It became apparent while reading Kip Welborn's self-published book that it's not just a guidebook about Route 66 in St. Louis. It's also a love letter to his city. It's that enthusiasm about the Mother Road and his town that lifts "Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis" (60 pages, spiral-bound … Continue reading Book review: “Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis”
Interesting data from the Clinton museum
The Daily Oklahoman today posted an article about a report from the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The museum and curator Pat Smith provided fascinating data I'd never seen before: The museum greeted 33,000 visitors last year, a record. 35 percent of those visitors came from other countries, and nearly half of those from … Continue reading Interesting data from the Clinton museum
The end … and the beginning
Today, 25 years ago, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials officially decertified U.S. 66 as a federal highway. In essence, U.S. 66 ceased to exist. Although few would have thought so at the time, decertification became a good thing for the Mother Road in the long run. It's a counterintuitive thought, but … Continue reading The end … and the beginning
The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
It's really worth reading this op-ed piece by Beverly Kelley for the Ventura (Calif.) County Star. A sample: Willingness to tackle a job despite impossible odds is the operational definition of the American “can-do” spirit. It’s the same confident courage that a bride donning something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue exhibits, even … Continue reading The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
The Joplin Globe's story about the Tri-State Route 66 Festival at Downstream Casino Resort that contained a few pearls of useful information for roadies. Danny Charles and T.J. Davis this fall will open a 1895 building on historic Route 66 in downtown Galena, Kan., as a pizzeria and pub. Volunteers from the festival helped them … Continue reading Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?
Berkeley (Ill.) Suburban Life published a follow-up story about the $40 million settlement between the Illinois Department of Transportation and Vulcan Materials over the closing of a one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook. The state alleged that Vulcan, which operated two nearby quarry pits, dangerously destabilized the road by undermining it. … Continue reading What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?
And this would be bad … how?
Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today: Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans' plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks … Continue reading And this would be bad … how?
Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois
Vulcan Materials, which was accused in a lawsuit of damaging a now-closed one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook, Ill., settled with the state of Illinois for $40 million, according to a news release today. The company, which supplies asphalt and gravel, said it will pay $20 million to the Illinois Department … Continue reading Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois