In addition to guidebooks devoted to all 2,400 miles of Route 66, a bunch of volumes have been published that are more narrowly focused by geography. Individual books have been devoted to the Mother Road in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California, in addition to the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago. However, … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”
Category: History
A closer look at the Cyrus Avery Plaza
If you're traveling west on Route 66 near downtown Tulsa, here's a new sight you'll encounter on Southwest Boulevard approaching the Arkansas River. This is the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. The Tulsa World on Sunday had an update about this particular Route 66 project, which should be finished sometime later this year. A big bronze … Continue reading A closer look at the Cyrus Avery Plaza
Leave the driving to them
Here's a good idea: Esotouric, a husband-and-wife team that specializes in offbeat bus tours of the Los Angeles region, led one down Route 66 on Saturday, reported the Pasadena Star-News. Sights included the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, the last commercial citrus orchard in Sierra Madre and the Golden Spur restaurant in Glendora. One particularly intriguing … Continue reading Leave the driving to them
Santa Monica Pier soon will mark 100 years
The Santa Monica Pier, which for many travelers serves as the symbolic end of Route 66, is marking the 100th anniversary of when construction on it began. The Long Beach (Calif.) Press-Telegram published an interesting history about the pier, including these nuggets: It was originally built to help carry raw sewage out into the ocean. … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier soon will mark 100 years
Spreading the Route 66 gospel
TheDoings-LaGrange.com published a report on Route 66 enthusiast David G. Clark's presentation at the LaGrange, Ill., Library about the history of the Mother Road in Chicago. Clark does these presentations from time to time. If you've never seen them, the article at least gives a taste of what they're like. Clark also has a Web … Continue reading Spreading the Route 66 gospel
Century-old Grand Canyon business will close
Verkamp's Curios has operated on the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for 102 years -- even before Arizona became a state. However, Verkamp's will close in September, and you can blame a good chunk of that on the federal government, reports the Canadian Press: The family's final chapter at the canyon … Continue reading Century-old Grand Canyon business will close
Route 66: Where it’s been, where it’s going
Using a bunch of upcoming Route 66 festivals in Southern California as a news hook, Carol Bidwell of the Long Beach Press-Telegram writes a good article about the Mother Road's history and where it stands at the present day. It includes talk about what happens after the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program ends in 2009. … Continue reading Route 66: Where it’s been, where it’s going
Building in Chicago named to National Register
This is going to be obscure except for the most rabid of Route 66 enthusiasts in the Windy City. But it was announced a couple of days ago that the International Tailoring Company Building at 847 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's also known as the … Continue reading Building in Chicago named to National Register
Restoration of Macoupin County Courthouse sought
Sheriff Don Albrecht has a two-pronged plan for the the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville, Ill. First, place it on the National Register of Historic Places. Second, use that designation to help get federal grants to restore the historic building, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. The sandstone exterior of the landmark, Albrecht says, needs refurbishing, but … Continue reading Restoration of Macoupin County Courthouse sought
Seligman Harvey House set to be torn down today
The Havasu, a Harvey House on an old alignment of Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz., isn't scheduled to be torn down until sometime today, but its obituary has already been written by the Prescott (Ariz.) Daily Courier. When word leaked out about five years ago that the BNSF planned to demolish the hotel, Seligman residents … Continue reading Seligman Harvey House set to be torn down today