Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog not only went to see Union Pacific Railroad's historic No. 844 steam engine when it made a recent stop in the Route 66 town of Claremore, Okla., but he also rode it clear to Kansas City. Click here for the story and a lot more great photos.
Category: History
The father of Route 66
I found him. And appropriately enough, he's buried in a cemetery just yards from the Mother Road. The deceased person I'm referring to is Cyrus S. Avery. He's acknowledged as "the Father of Route 66." A Pennsylvania native, Avery moved to Oklahoma as a teenager. He became a successful businessman and grew especially involved with … Continue reading The father of Route 66
Barstow Route 66 Museum to celebrate sixth anniversary
The Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., is marking its sixth annivesary on Saturday, June 17. There will be a classic car show, and several Route 66 authors will be on hand to sell and sign their books, including "Route 66 Lost and Found, Vol. 2" by Russell Olsen, "Route 66 in California" … Continue reading Barstow Route 66 Museum to celebrate sixth anniversary
Painted Desert Inn reopens
The Painted Desert Inn, which was built in the 1920s amid what is now the Petrified Forest National Park, reopened on Memorial Day weekend, reports the Arizona Daily Star. Here's the news release from the National Park Service about it. It's no longer used for lodging, but as a museum. Fixing up the place … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn reopens
“Cars'” spirit of Route 66
Joe Williams of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has written a very good article about how Route 66 inspired much of the content of the "Cars" movie. Providing most of the context for the story is Route 66 author Michael Wallis. Highly recommended.
Business moving out of Tulsa Monument building
Here's one from the "snooze, you lose" department. I had noticed a couple of weeks ago that there was a sign in front of Tulsa Monument Co. that the business had lost its lease and was moving. I had meant to follow up in an effort to get more information. The Tulsa World reported Thursday … Continue reading Business moving out of Tulsa Monument building
Admiral Twin drive-in having its best season
The Admiral Twin drive-in, along the Route 66 alignment of Admiral Place in Tulsa, is having its best season, according to an article in the Tulsa World. "We're having a great season," he said, noting that the drive-in opened its season in March. "People are getting out and having fun, and it looks like we're … Continue reading Admiral Twin drive-in having its best season
Missouri town planning Route 66 festival
The town of Strafford, Mo., is planning its annual Route 66 festival, according to the Springfield News-Leader. It's trying to round up volunteers and make Route 66 more prominent. This idea sounds intriguing: Keiser would like to produce a live show, with "Route 66 players" who will dramatize and detail the history. Keiser has volunteered … Continue reading Missouri town planning Route 66 festival
Memories of Red’s Giant Hamburg
Sarah Overstreet of the Springfield News-Leader shares her memories of the now-defunct Red's Giant Hamburg, which was along old Route 66 in Springfield, Mo. Her writing paints a vivid picture of what the place was like in its heyday. Julia Chaney, former co-owner fo the restaurant, died a little over a week ago. The other … Continue reading Memories of Red’s Giant Hamburg
For me, 6/6/06 will be a good day
Mary Adamski, a religion columnist for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, writes about some people being extremely wary about the date June 6, 2006, that will be apocalyptic somehow because the date is kinda sorta "666," or the "mark of the Beast" from the Bible's Book of Revelation. Adamski writes: We might think we're in an enlightened … Continue reading For me, 6/6/06 will be a good day