In a column by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Matthew Hathaway, we learn that Trailnet, which runs the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects a pedestrian/biking trail from north St. Louis to Madison, Ill., is closing a parking lot on the Missouri side of the river indefinitely because of vandalism to vehicles there. In an … Continue reading Old Chain of Rocks Bridge closes parking lot
Category: Highways
Route 66 makes Readers’ Choice Awards
Southern Living magazine cited the Mother Road during its annual Readers' Choice Awards: The Blue Ridge Parkway, in Asheville, N.C., the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tupelo, Miss., and the portions of Route 66 that run through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were named best scenic routes by readers, while editors picked The Bluegrass in Lexington, Ky. … Continue reading Route 66 makes Readers’ Choice Awards
A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Road warrior and author Brian Butko dropped me a note Friday, telling me that he has received a cover image of Michael Wallis' upcoming book, "The Lincoln Highway: From Times Square to the Golden Gate." The cover is shown below: There's no set release date for the book, except it'll be out this summer. It's … Continue reading A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Group seeks to promote Illinois 4, aka Route 66
The Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register reports that a Macoupin County group is hoping to promote Illinois Highway 4 as a tourism destination. It's sort of mentioned in passing, but Illinois 4 was a Route 66 alignment from Springfield to Staunton from 1926 to 1930. In the article, Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton receives prominent mention, as … Continue reading Group seeks to promote Illinois 4, aka Route 66
Another winter storm
It's not even officially winter, and another major winter storm is hitting Route 66's midsection. On Tuesday night, the National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings in the upper two-thirds of New Mexico and all of the Texas Panhandle. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Interstate 40 from the Duke City to Gallup was closed … Continue reading Another winter storm
Missouri town is getting a huge interchange
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the nearby Route 66 town of Carterville, Mo., is getting a new Highway 249 interchange that helps connect to Highway 171, U.S. 400, U.S. 71 and Interstate 44. Locals predict it will give Carterville's economy a big shot in the arm. Larry Tamminem, a longtime resident and owner of … Continue reading Missouri town is getting a huge interchange
Winter on the Mother Road
Looks like Route 66 is the only way west for Tulsans heading for OKC this morning. TV station KSWO out of southwestern Oklahoma is reporting that I-44 is closed between Oklahoma's two largest cities after a snowstorm dumped more than 10 inches of snow on Tulsa. The storm brought an influx of business to one … Continue reading Winter on the Mother Road
Swastikas on old Arizona road maps?
It's true. But it's not as sinister as it first appears. Fellow road warrior Tim Steil pointed out this Arizona roads site, which shows a scan from a 1927 Rand McNally atlas. And look on the lower right corner of the page -- a swastika on the Arizona highway marker. I included a close-up excerpt … Continue reading Swastikas on old Arizona road maps?
Carthage wants to keep ‘Tickle Tummy Hill’ around
Generally, drivers don't like bridges to be so steeply pitched that it feels like a roller coaster while driving over it. That's not the case with the Oak Street Bridge in Carthage, Mo. The bridge, built in 1920 and later becoming a part of Route 66, also is affectionately known by locals as Tickle Tummy … Continue reading Carthage wants to keep ‘Tickle Tummy Hill’ around
Hard miles
Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader usually delves into little-known local history with his columns, and Monday's was no exception. Robert Goodman of Carthage sent Billings a diary that his late grandfather, J.W. Goodman, kept during a 1,019-mile journey from Cleveland to Gilbert, Ark., in 1921. A good portion of the trek was on … Continue reading Hard miles