To read an otherwise-good article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, you'd think Route 66 had been languishing for decades until the "Cars" movie came out this summer. And it's true the Mother Road got quite a boost when Pixar's film rolled into theaters, says author Michael Wallis. "It's been [a] huge shot in the arm for … Continue reading Route 66 on the comeback trail?
Category: History
Spraker Service Station endangered
The historic Spraker Service Station, located at 240 S. Wilson St., aka Route 66, in Vinita, Okla., may be demolished by the car dealership that owns it. The Spraker Service Station (pictured above) is a cottage-style Conoco station built in 1929. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It sits … Continue reading Spraker Service Station endangered
No ordinary man
I stumbled across this obituary for Glen Leonhardt in the San Bernardino County Sun. He held the somewhat ordinary job of a mechanic, but his deeds and experiences made his life extraordinary. His ties to Route 66 were multiple: He helped build that road in Vega, Texas; he married a woman from the Route 66 … Continue reading No ordinary man
Caring for the poor
There is a cemetery just off Route 66 in Livingston County, Ill., that was devoted exclusively for the area's poor-farm residents. I didn't know about it, nor did many other people for a long time, because the Poor Farm Cemetery had been neglected for years. That has changed. For the past two years, volunteers have … Continue reading Caring for the poor
Route 66 State Park to host open house
The Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Mo., is holding an open house from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the visitors' center. The park wants public comments and suggestions on how the grounds are run. Route 66 author Shellee Graham will make a presentation about the defunct Coral Court Motel at 1 p.m. and … Continue reading Route 66 State Park to host open house
Hard miles
Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader usually delves into little-known local history with his columns, and Monday's was no exception. Robert Goodman of Carthage sent Billings a diary that his late grandfather, J.W. Goodman, kept during a 1,019-mile journey from Cleveland to Gilbert, Ark., in 1921. A good portion of the trek was on … Continue reading Hard miles
More about Budville
You first read here about the impending reopening of Budville near Cubero, N.M. The Cibola County Beacon has more details about the historic store's refurbishment, including that it's going to be fully open in late November -- just in time for Christmas shopping. And a bare-bones version of the store's Web site is up. Based … Continue reading More about Budville
Carthage mural will mark 30th anniversary
Travelers who drive into Carthage, Mo., on Route 66 will quickly note the striking architecture of the Jasper County Courthouse, which was built in the 1890s. But behind those courthouse walls is a mural that's every bit as striking. In 1976, local artist Lowell Davis painted the 26-foot-long mural that depicts the history of Jasper … Continue reading Carthage mural will mark 30th anniversary
Making a list
Using our favorite road as a bit of inspiration, the Lincoln-Logan County Chamber of Commerce in Illinois is compiling a list of "66 Things You Won't See Anywhere Else" for an upcoming brochure, reports the Lincoln Courier. "If you know of any odd or obscure, weird or wacky, historic or quirky attractions that are unique … Continue reading Making a list
Model A drivers visit Route 66 museum
The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac draws plenty of visitors who drive classic cars. On Friday, it was a bunch of Ford Model A owners, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader.