David Lynch (not that David Lynch) was fascinated by the notorious San Andreas Fault in California and sought to explore it. To his astonishment, he found that no complete guidebook to the faultline existed. Lynch explored the fault, a source of earthquake anxiety in the California and inspiration to scores of bad disaster movies, and … Continue reading A guidebook to a fault
Category: History
A brief history of Camp Cajon
Freelance writer Mark Landis writes a fascinating historical piece in the San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sun about William H. Bristol, who was a key member of the community and a major promoter of the area in the late 1800s and much of the first half of the 20th century. His contribution to Route 66 is … Continue reading A brief history of Camp Cajon
Sun-Times picks up Launching Pad story
Dave Hoekstra, a staff writer for the Chicago Sun-Times who's written about Route 66 over the years, has a story about the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Ill., being up for sale. Hoekstra's story has nifty tidbits of history about the restaurant and talked to the owners, who wish to retire and travel the Mother … Continue reading Sun-Times picks up Launching Pad story
“Fantastic Tulsa Films” airs tonight
I don't know whether there's Route 66 content, but "Fantastic Tulsa Films" -- a compilation of home and professional movies of Tulsa from years ago -- is airing several times in Oklahoma in the coming weeks, including at 7 p.m. today on OETA, the state's public television network. At the least, it will be of … Continue reading “Fantastic Tulsa Films” airs tonight
Historic St. Louis restaurant closes, flees to suburb
Romine's, a famed fried-chicken restaurant on the Riverview Drive alignment of Route 66 of St. Louis since 1931, is closing because of crime and declining sales, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Security was hired to patrol the parking lot and cameras were installed on the outside of the building, but that was not enough to … Continue reading Historic St. Louis restaurant closes, flees to suburb
Joplin museum director honored by governor
Brad Belk, executive director of the Joplin (Mo.) Museum Complex, was given the 2006 Governor's Humanities Community Heritage Award. According to a news release: This award recognizes a special contribution to a community’s understanding of its heritage. Here's a rundown of Belk's accomplishments. In addition to helping a prominent Route 66 town, he's also served … Continue reading Joplin museum director honored by governor
Former Big Chief Dakota Grill to reopen
The historic Big Chief Dakota Grill is located at 17352 Old Manchester Road in Wildwood, Mo., which is on a 1926-1932 alignment of Route 66 in the St. Louis region. The restaurant/tavern closed about three years ago, but will reopen as a B. Donovan's Steakhouse Grill next month, according to West Newsmagazine. The article also … Continue reading Former Big Chief Dakota Grill to reopen
New Joplin business opens in historic building
Route 66 TV Online reports that a new business, Columbia Traders, has opened in the 114-year-old Columbia Building at 420 S. Main St. in downtown Joplin, Mo. The Deli and grocery serves local residents and Route 66 visitors breakfast and lunch from 6:30 am to 7 pm weekdays, 9 to 5 on Sat. and is … Continue reading New Joplin business opens in historic building
Anniversary tour
On the 80th anniversary of Route 66 on Saturday, the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley toured by bus the last few miles of the Mother Road in the Los Angeles region. It was led by local Route 66 expert Scott Piotrowski. Here's the story, reported by the La Canada Valley Sun in La Canada … Continue reading Anniversary tour
Happy birthday, Route 66
You're 80 years old today. You've taken a few hits, but you're looking pretty spry these days. Here's a rundown. UPDATE: American Heritage also has just posted a pretty good rundown.