Mark Muckenfuss of the Press-Enterprise has an interesting story about the history of the wagon and American Indian trails through the Mojave Desert and mountains that led to what became the Los Angeles metro area. When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, it closely followed the Santa Fe rails through the western cities that pop … Continue reading Blazing trails
Category: Highways
More of this, please
With the resurrection of Route 66, more people are researching the history of other historic roads. According to the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, Mike Conlin is researching the original path of the Jefferson Highway. I'm not familiar with that highway, but it sounds intriguing: The highway was an early cross-country connector, built in the years … Continue reading More of this, please
A closer look at the Arroyo Seco
Jay Fisher of the New York Times' Automotive section takes a closer look at the curiosity that is the Pasadena Freeway, also known as the Arroyo Seco Parkway. It is California's first freeway, and it remains a prominent alignment of Route 66. And though it is still a freeway, it certainly does not resemble one … Continue reading A closer look at the Arroyo Seco
Scenes from the Route 66 Festival
Here are a few shots I gathered at the Route 66 Festival on Saturday in Litchfield, Ill. More photographs by other bloggers at the festival can be seen here and here. If you know of more, send me an e-mail and let me know. UPDATE: Here's more from Denny Gibson. Here's the car show, set … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 Festival
Very curious
The Frankfort Station, based in Frankfort, Ill., published a story today about how Frankfort Township is constructing a new administration building. Tucked into the story is this: When the new structure is completed and the administration has moved in, the current building will be torn down, to make room for several improvements Stipan can't wait … Continue reading Very curious
McKinley Bridge opens to bicycles and pedestrians
The McKinley Bridge, which is part of an old Route 66 alignment that connects Venice, Ill., to St. Louis, opened to bicycle and pedestrian traffic on Saturday, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. More details: The bikeway is the newest addition to a 600-mile network of recreational paths the Great Rivers Greenway District calls the River … Continue reading McKinley Bridge opens to bicycles and pedestrians
In praise of a public official …
Bill Farnham, a commissioner for the Pulaski County, Mo., board, appears to be doing his darnedest to repair the deteriorating Devil's Elbow Bridge in the Route 66 settlement of Devil's Elbow. From the Waynesville Daily Guide: Pulaski County Commissioner Bill Farnham has made restoration of the Devil’s Elbow Bridge on the original path of Route … Continue reading In praise of a public official …
Lake Overholser Bridge
I can't tell whether this video is from someone hanging a camera out the car window or attaching it to a bicycle. But this is footage of someone crossing the Lake Overholser Bridge. It was built west of Oklahoma City in 1924, predating Route 66. But it became a prominent alignment of the Mother Road. … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge
Ambitious plans for Miami
This story from the Miami (Okla.) News-Record about the town's future tourism efforts caught my eye with this excerpt (boldface type is my emphasis): Oklahoma is already investing in international tourism as state tourism officials have partnered with the state of Kansas to commit a half-million dollars to target international travelers. Barger said the investment … Continue reading Ambitious plans for Miami
Flooding closes part of Route 66 in Missouri
Route 66 enthusiast and radio announcer Joe Sonderman in St. Louis reports that parts of Route 66 through central Missouri are closed because of flooding after torrential rains, and waters aren't going to recede for at least another day or so. It seems the best resource to check on current conditions is this interactive map … Continue reading Flooding closes part of Route 66 in Missouri