The unique Castle Car Wash building on Ogden Avenue, aka Route 66, in the Chicago suburb of North Lawndale has recently become the target of preservationists. Now, according to the Chicago Tribune, other parts of Lawndale are being considered as important historic sites, and the car-wash building is now considered a catalyst in the effort: … Continue reading Hometown of Castle Car Wash eyed for preservation
Category: Highways
New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
The Gourds, a folk-rock band out of Texas, has a song, "All the Way to Jericho," on its new album, "Haymaker!" that takes place on Route 66 in the Lone Star State. The Jericho in the song, according to a review in Pitchfork Media, refers to the notorious Jericho Gap of old Route 66 in … Continue reading New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
Oatman Road placed on infrastructure stimulus list
About 48 miles of Oatman Road, aka Route 66, from just west of Kingman, Ariz., to Golden Shores, Ariz., is being slated for "pavement reconstruction" by Mohave County with President-elect Barack Obama's upcoming economic stimulus package, reports the Mohave Daily News. The Oatman Road repairs would cost $12 million. Of course, the Obama administration could … Continue reading Oatman Road placed on infrastructure stimulus list
Marine base expansion may threaten access to Route 66
The U.S. Marine Corps is considering a possible expansion of its Air Ground Combat Center in Southern California that may restrict or cut off access to Route 66 and other spots in that area from about Cadiz Summit to just west of Amboy. According to Kell Brigan, who is fighting the Marines' possible land acquisition: … Continue reading Marine base expansion may threaten access to Route 66
Route 66 draws in foreign travelers
An article in the Daily Oklahoman reiterates what we've been saying for months -- that Route 66 won't be as adversely affected by the weak U.S. economy as other tourism segments because of a boom in foreign visitors. "This year the overseas tourists are taking advantage of a weak U.S. dollar,” said Amanda Davis, Miami … Continue reading Route 66 draws in foreign travelers
Sidewalk highway
Here's a little video I spliced together of the 9-foot-wide "Sidewalk Highway" of Route 66 near Afton, Okla. There's a similar such segment near Miami, Okla. The narrow highway was built in 1922, a few years before it was designated as U.S. 66. Reputedly, there was not enough money to build a full-sized highway, so … Continue reading Sidewalk highway
Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
After losing his job and marriage, William Least Heat-Moon and his Ford Econoline van (dubbed Ghost Dancing) embarked on a 13,000-mile journey around America. He avoided the interstates and drove two-lane highways and country roads. He eschewed chain restaurants for mom-and-pop eateries. And he met a lot of interesting people. "Blue Highways: A Journey into … Continue reading Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
Illinois historic roads receive byway grants
A reader passed along a news release today from Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) about Illinois receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Scenic Byways program for several of the state's historic highways, including Route 66. Here are the grants that should be of interest to roadies: $60,000 to update the 1999 Great River … Continue reading Illinois historic roads receive byway grants
Historical icon returning to Miami
There was a time that an Ozark Trail obelisk once graced the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla. It's been gone for many years. But, according to the Miami News-Record, it will return: On Monday, councilmembers accepted the recommendation that a 21-foot obelisk be placed on the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street - … Continue reading Historical icon returning to Miami
Another stocking-stuffer
In case you didn't get to the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa last month, you now can buy over the Internet the Route 66 T-shirts recently created by the folks at Vintage Roadside, which specializes in putting retro graphics from defunct roadside businesses onto apparel. Here's the story about this T-shirt: Route 66, also known … Continue reading Another stocking-stuffer