Blackburn Park in Pacific, Mo., soon will install a marker to commemorate a Civil War battle that occurred along the bluffs that are now next to old Route 66, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I'd never heard of this battle, and the details show why: Civil War historians say the battle of Oct. 1, … Continue reading Marker near Route 66 coming for Civil War site
Category: History
Here’s your sign
A few months ago, we tracked down who had painted hundreds, perhaps thousands of distinctive signs along the Route 66 corridor from the western Texas Panhandle to eastern New Mexico. It was Rudolph Gonzales, who has crafted his work along the Mother Road since the mid-1950s and is one of the last to do so … Continue reading Here’s your sign
A day at the museum
A family shot video inside the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Okla. Here's what they found:
Notes from the road
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has nominated the Route 66 city of St. Louis as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, it was announced this week. Such destinations "offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment … Continue reading Notes from the road
Book about U.S. 89 published
We at Route 66 News concentrate on news concerning the Mother Road, but occasionally pay attention to developments about other historic two-lane highways. So it is with interest that we take note of a new photo-and-essay book by Ann Torrence titled "U.S. Highway 89: The Scenic Route to Seven Western National Parks" (Sagebrush Press, 160 … Continue reading Book about U.S. 89 published
Grants property nominated as historic site
Charlie's Radiator Service, a business that was established in the 1940s on Route 66 in Grants, N.M., was nominated as a state historic site, reported the Cibola County Beacon. The designation would make it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. On the west end of Grants, Charles Diaz opened Charley's Automotive Service in … Continue reading Grants property nominated as historic site
Opposition to museum tax proposal goes to Facebook
Less than a week ago, the city council of Joplin, Mo., voted to put a tax referendum on the April ballot to fund a move and expansion of the Joplin Museum Complex to Memorial Hall. Already, the opposition to the one-sixth-cent sales tax has organized on the Internet, with a "Save Memorial Hall" group on … Continue reading Opposition to museum tax proposal goes to Facebook
Benld church will be converted to monastery
A 103-year-old Russian Orthodox Church on Route 66 in Benld, Ill., will be converted into a monastery -- instead of being razed -- because of declining attendance, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Mindful of Holy Dormition’s rich history, but acknowledging a declining membership and church rules that say an unused building must be torn down, … Continue reading Benld church will be converted to monastery
In the middle of the road
The Monett (Mo.) Times published an article about a local native, Jerany Jackson, who is in the middle of helping the Route 66 Association of Missouri organize public hearings so that Route 66 in Missouri can attain All-American Road status. The article is useful, not only explaining the many facets of tourism and history of … Continue reading In the middle of the road
Notes from the road
The Pontiac Walldog Committee, which has helped beautify downtown Pontiac, Ill., with a series of murals and related festivals, now wants to open a Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, according to news release from the city's tourism department. The primary purpose of the museum is to pay homage to the men and … Continue reading Notes from the road