Larry Harnisch, who writes a history blog, The Daily Mirror, for the Los Angeles Times, has an interesting post about the Madonna of the Trail monument that was erected in 1929 on Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Upland, Calif. Harnisch writes: These monumental statues were meant to venerate the pioneer spirit, but today, some … Continue reading Madonna of the Trail
Category: Highways
Touching on its legacy
ConocoPhillips today posted this nifty video that talks about the history of Route 66 and historic Conoco and Phillips 66 gas stations along the Mother Road in Texas. It's good to see a major corporation at least acknowledge its history. Sometimes, in the quest to pave roads to the future, corporations forget where they've been. … Continue reading Touching on its legacy
Oklahoma firm producing film about Cyrus Avery
Deep into a story from Indian Country Today about an Oklahoma film company acquiring the rights to a novel about major-league baseball's first American Indian player is this: Mike (Marshall) has been involved in Oklahoma television for more than 20 years as a production manager and field producer. He has produced more than 200 hours … Continue reading Oklahoma firm producing film about Cyrus Avery
Don’t bypass me by
The towns of Holbrook and Winslow, Ariz., like a lot of towns on Route 66, saw a big decrease in traffic when they were bypassed by Interstate 40. Now, according to AzJournal.com, there is a transportation plan afoot that would bypass even more traffic from those towns onto I-40. In Holbrook, a proposal has been … Continue reading Don’t bypass me by
Well, blow me down
The Green Roadway, a project to generate "green" energy along highways that is endorsed by the Route 66 Alliance, is auctioning patents to states starting today. What's interesting is how the Green Roadway aims to generate that electricity. I thought it'd be a mix of standard solar panels and wind turbines to do so. But … Continue reading Well, blow me down
Marker near Rock Creek Bridge stolen
A historical marker that explains the origins of the Rock Creek Bridge that once carried old Route 66 near Sapulpa, Okla., was stolen about a month ago, reports the Sapulpa Daily Herald. Fortunately, the marker that was pilfered is not the original. The original marker is at the Sapulpa Historical Society Museum. The bridge was … Continue reading Marker near Rock Creek Bridge stolen
Notes from the road
--- The bad news in Oklahoma is that the state's turnpike authority will raise toll-road prices an average of 16 percent. The good news is that this probably means more traffic on old Route 66 in the Sooner State. --- On Monday we briefly visited with Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, … Continue reading Notes from the road
State budget woes may doom some rest stops
At least one cash-strapped state in which Route 66 traverses is considering shutting down its rest stops along the interstate highways, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the article, Arizona is considering shutting down at least some of its rest stops as a cost-cutting move. An interesting excerpt: One hurdle for defenders of … Continue reading State budget woes may doom some rest stops
Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A number of guidebooks about the Lincoln Highway, an important predecessor to historic Route 66, exist for several states that the road traverses. However, Brian Butko's "Lincoln Highway Companion" (Stackpole Books, 192 pages, $26.95 retail) is the first book of which I'm aware that tries to compile all of the coast-to-coast road's unique motels, restaurants, … Continue reading Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
Part of eastbound 66 in Chicago closed
David G. Clark, an expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, reports that a portion of eastbound Jackson Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Chicago will be closed to traffic until April 2010 for bridge repairs. Clark makes some suggestions on his blog: What does this mean to the Route 66 traveler? Well, if you … Continue reading Part of eastbound 66 in Chicago closed