The Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western end point of Route 66, will get a lot of attention this week when it marks its 100th anniversary on Wednesday. National Public Radio has an excellent story about the pier and its history, including this: Fishermen have been flocking to the pier's edge since its early days. … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier centennial
Category: History
The sad story of Chavez Ravine
Most people know of Chavez Ravine, located just off the Arroyo Seco Parkway (aka Route 66), as the site of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. But many don't know what was there before the baseball park. This video helps explain it. The saga inspired one of Ry Cooder's most-acclaimed albums, "Chavez Ravine."
Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down
The long-closed Prairie Moon tavern in Winslow, Ariz., finally was torn down and the rubble hauled away a few days ago, reported AzJournal.com. Here's a photo of the bar before it was razed. According to several people quoted in the article, the Prairie Moon also was known for prostitution. Longtime Winslow resident Gabe Martinez grew … Continue reading Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down
Route 66 exhibit begins week of festival
For you folks who plan to attend the Route 66 Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., Northern Arizona University is hosting the "Route 66 in Arizona: Don't Forget Winona!" exhibit that opens that week. According to the Rim Country Gazette, the university's Cline Library will hold a reception from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10. "The exhibit … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit begins week of festival
A brief history
Here's a video produced by the Arizona Office of Tourism. It uses the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman as a jumping-off point about the history of Route 66.
Route 66 documentary in the works
California-based Waterline Entertainment is producing a historical documentary about Route 66 that is tentatively slated to be released sometime in 2011. Geoff Foley, a writer and producer at Waterline, and I recently made connections through my Twitter account. He said the working title of the film is "Route 66: America's Main Street." His partner on … Continue reading Route 66 documentary in the works
Madonna of the Trail
Larry Harnisch, who writes a history blog, The Daily Mirror, for the Los Angeles Times, has an interesting post about the Madonna of the Trail monument that was erected in 1929 on Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Upland, Calif. Harnisch writes: These monumental statues were meant to venerate the pioneer spirit, but today, some … Continue reading Madonna of the Trail
Touching on its legacy
ConocoPhillips today posted this nifty video that talks about the history of Route 66 and historic Conoco and Phillips 66 gas stations along the Mother Road in Texas. It's good to see a major corporation at least acknowledge its history. Sometimes, in the quest to pave roads to the future, corporations forget where they've been. … Continue reading Touching on its legacy
Derrick is done
Driving near Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66, in west Tulsa earlier today, I noticed that the commemorative oil derrick in the under-construction Route 66 Station park appeared to be finished. And it is, according to KOTV in Tulsa. More photos of the derrick's construction can be seen here. The 154-foot-tall derrick is part of a … Continue reading Derrick is done
“Our Town”
I've been told that this video is played in 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., and that it moves a lot of Route 66 visitors. I'll let the creator, Jim DeGraff, explain it: My family has lived in or near Galena, KS, for over 100 years. Main Street of Galena is also the … Continue reading “Our Town”