The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the University of Oklahoma have been scheduling meetings around the state to get public input on how to promote Route 66, which is applying for national recognition as a Scenic Byway. Many of these stories run the usual gamut of opinions. But this story by the Edmond Sun contained … Continue reading ‘They’re looking for that Route 66 experience’
Category: Highways
Route 66 bridge booster named Citizen of the Year
From the Waynesville (Mo.) Daily Guide: The woman who began the drive to place vintage lighting on the Historic Route 66 bridge over the Roubidoux Creek in Waynesville has been named Citizen of the Year by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. Charli Hartley, a lifelong resident of Waynesville, was nominated by All-American Security, a … Continue reading Route 66 bridge booster named Citizen of the Year
San Bern’s Fifth Street Bridge coming down
The old Fifth Street Bridge that carried Route 66 over Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, Calif., is going to be demolished soon, making way for a new Fifth Street bridge. It's part of a long-planned I-215 widening project. However, people will have the opportunity to take pieces of it home as a Route 66 souvenir, … Continue reading San Bern’s Fifth Street Bridge coming down
A look at the ol’ Mother Road
An outfit called Trumbly Productions posted this short documentary about Route 66 in Oklahoma, especially in the western half of the state. You also get a look inside the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City.
Oral history
Vic Plunk has lived near the Rock Island railroad line and Route 66 at Grey's Corner, Texas, just west of Amarillo, for many years. Grey's Corner isn't listed on maps, but Vic's Happy Tracks Horse Motel is near Exit 60 of Interstate 40. In addition to telling his steam-engine memories, he points out the old, … Continue reading Oral history
Heritage tourism
The New York Times took down its firewall several weeks ago that kept online readers from seeing much of its content. That means that you now can read "The Virtues of Avoiding Interstates," an August 2007 article about tourists who are avoiding the superslab and are seeking out the historic two-lane roads of America. The … Continue reading Heritage tourism
“Magic” superhighways
Here's a fascinating excerpt from "Magic Highway USA," a 1958 film from when Disney had its own TV show. It imagines what the nation's highway system might look like in the future. I saw this film as a child in the early 1970s, and it seemed overly fanciful even then. As the film fast approaches … Continue reading “Magic” superhighways
McKinley Bridge opens to traffic
For the first time in more than six years, the McKinley Bridge in Venice, Ill., on Monday reopened to vehicular traffic. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Venice Mayor Avery Ware was the first to drive across about 3 p.m. after more than $50 million was spent to rehabilitate the bridge that once connected Route … Continue reading McKinley Bridge opens to traffic
Miami will receive grants for Route 66 projects
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla., will shell out about $150,000 for historical markers and other projects along the Mother Road. About $120,000 of that will come from the National Scenic Byways program, while the rest will be provided by the city and tourism bureau. The projects are: … Continue reading Miami will receive grants for Route 66 projects
McKinley Bridge reopens to traffic Monday
If you want to finally drive Route 66 over the Mississippi River to St. Louis, you'll finally have your chance after about 3 p.m. Monday. The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat reports that the McKinley Bridge, which was closed since 2001 for much-needed repairs, will open at mid-afternoon Monday at the latest. The 1910 bridge carried an … Continue reading McKinley Bridge reopens to traffic Monday