The Visit Springfield tourism bureau on Thursday commemorated the birthplace of the horseshoe sandwich with a new plaque at the historic Leland Hotel building at Capitol Avenue and Sixth Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Illinois. For the uninitiated, a horseshoe sandwich consists of thick slices of toast, a hamburger patty or another type of … Continue reading New plaque commemorates the birthplace of the horseshoe sandwich in Springfield
Category: History
Pineapple Whip, which started in the Ozarks in Springfield, marks its 50th year
As summer arrives in earnest, Route 66ers' thoughts understandably will go to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis. But another Route 66 city 200 miles west of St. Louis boasts its own frozen treat and considerable longevity -- Pineapple Whip, marking its 50th season this year in its hometown of Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield … Continue reading Pineapple Whip, which started in the Ozarks in Springfield, marks its 50th year
Duarte Historical Society to honor the Hellers when it dedicates Route 66 Room on June 30
The Duarte Historical Society & Museum in Duarte, California, will honor Claudia and Alan Heller when it dedicates a new Route 66 Room on June 30. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the ceremony will be at 3 p.m. that day at the historical society's museum at 777 Encanto Parkway (map here). Claudia Heller was … Continue reading Duarte Historical Society to honor the Hellers when it dedicates Route 66 Room on June 30
A precursor to the Ramada Inn chain began with a motel on Route 66 in Flagstaff
The roots of the Ramada Inn chain began 70 years ago this year with the development of a motel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The first Ramada Inn in Flagstaff, Arizona. Peter Corbett of Flagstaff Business News had the story. The newspaper contacted 88-year-old Bill Isbell, who was still a teen when he made … Continue reading A precursor to the Ramada Inn chain began with a motel on Route 66 in Flagstaff
Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Camp Cajon, a defunct motor camp along Route 66 in Southern California's Cajon Pass, will celebrate 105 years on July 4 with two guided hikes, a program on its history and information from local historical groups. Mark Landis, a historical columnist for the San Bernardino County Sun, had the details on the event, which runs … Continue reading Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Illinois State Museum wants your stories about Route 66
Historians from the Illinois State Museum in Springfield are looking for people to tell their experiences with the original Route 66 in Illinois before the highway's centennial in 2026. “These interviews will help illustrate the significance of this important transportation achievement,” said Erika Holst, the museum’s curator of history, in a news release. Historians are … Continue reading Illinois State Museum wants your stories about Route 66
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue House to close its final location in Albuquerque at end of this month
Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue House, an institution in Albuquerque for over 60 years, will shutter its final location just eight months after closing its Central Avenue (aka Route 66) restaurant. Mr. Powdrell's will close its location at 5209 Fourth St. (aka Route 66) on the city's north side on June 29, though it will host a … Continue reading Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue House to close its final location in Albuquerque at end of this month
History Museum on the Square presenting a new exhibit about local Route 66 motels
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, later this month will present a new exhibit, “Checking In: Route 66’s Iconic Hotels & Motels of Greene County." The exhibit will tell "the stories of iconic lodgings along Route 66 that shaped our region, from charming cabins to landmark hotels." It begins June 19 … Continue reading History Museum on the Square presenting a new exhibit about local Route 66 motels
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that's rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region. For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route … Continue reading Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture