The Daily Guide reports that Waynesville, Mo., over the weekend dedicated its portion of Route 66 through downtown as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. Named after the service flags flown during World War II placing a single blue star for each person serving in the military on a flag flown outside the homes of their … Continue reading Town designates Route 66 also as a Blue Star Highway
Category: Highways
Scuttlebutt from the road
Ken Turmel of Postmarkart fame reports that the Oklahoma highway department has begun replacing Oklahoma Highway 66 signs. New signs are being erected to celebrate the state's centennial next year. The new sign is pictured above. Scott Piotrowski reports that the Evergreen Motel in Duarte, Calif., has been torn down, apparently with little warning. … Continue reading Scuttlebutt from the road
Here’s one who doesn’t get it
Peter Hannaford of American Spectator spends much of his column praising the interstate highway system and its homogeneity (I'm not kidding). He also writes about Route 66: Along the way, much is made of the old Highway 66, the Route 66 of song (as in "You'll Get Your Kicks on Route 66"). This went from … Continue reading Here’s one who doesn’t get it
Advice on driving Route 66
The Herald-News in Joliet, Ill., has this sage advice: If you want to celebrate Route 66's 80th anniversary, drive it. The article is well-done. It has a lot of advice from members of the Illinois Route 66 Association. I take issue with one opinion, however. Oklahoma is not the best-signed state on the route. It's … Continue reading Advice on driving Route 66
The granddaddy road of them all
Route 66 is marking its 80th anniversary this year. I'm setting aside a moment in appreciation for the 200th anniversary of the National Road, which is Wednesday, according to the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun. Just think of that for a minute. Thomas Jefferson was president when he signed the bill to create the National Road, which … Continue reading The granddaddy road of them all
Another reason to drive Missouri’s Route 66
And the reason is provided in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's report about Interstate 44. About 70 percent of the interstate will be torn up before fall. That means two-way traffic, narrowed lanes and lane closures along 207 of the 290 miles that stretch between St. Louis and Oklahoma. If you're going to be driving two … Continue reading Another reason to drive Missouri’s Route 66
Oklahoma Route 66 bridges may be endangered
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry announced Tuesday that he was signing a bill into law to allocate $125 million for emergency bridge repairs. Reports are that the state in particular is targeting what are called load-posted bridges. These are bridges that are not allowed the full weight of big trucks or other large vehicles because their … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 bridges may be endangered
New Mexico scenic byway receives a grant
New Mexico Business Weekly reports that the state's scenic byways have received a total of $500,000 in federal grants. At least one of the grants will go to Route 66: Bernalillo County will receive $80,100 for the construction of El Camino Real/Route 66 Urban Plaza, which will create an interpretive kiosk on Isleta Boulevard. It … Continue reading New Mexico scenic byway receives a grant
Michael Wallis is writing a Lincoln Highway book
This isn't about Route 66, but it should interest roadies. Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road," is writing a book about America's first trancontinental road, the Lincoln Highway. Right now, Wallis is motoring down the Lincoln Highway with Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Michael Williamson, who's supplying the photos for the book, … Continue reading Michael Wallis is writing a Lincoln Highway book
Missouri town will get new interchange
This article from the Joplin Globe tells about a new interchange that will be constructed at Missouri 249 and Missouri 171 west of the Route 66 town of Carterville, Mo. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, the change is supposed to direct more traffic to city limits. On the other hand, it … Continue reading Missouri town will get new interchange