While visiting my parents in Illinois, my father strongly urged that I visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which is on Route 66 in Springfield. Because Dad isn't easily impressed, I thought I'd better get there. Dad was right. It is the best Lincoln tourist attraction out of many in that city. It … Continue reading Lincoln Museum is a must-see
Category: History
A tree grows in Pontiac
The Pontiac (IL) Daily Leader reports that the city's street superintendent, Andy Eckel, is retiring after 32 years with the city. One of Eckel's pet projects during his long employment with the city was taking care of the city's trees. The Route 66 Hall of Fame museum in Pontiac will benefit from his interest in … Continue reading A tree grows in Pontiac
Railroad bridge already is being torn down
This refers to the old railroad bridge the spanned old Illinois 157 in Edwardsville, which is an alignment of Route 66. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the dismantling process of the bridge already has begun. I don't know whether the road crews are finished, but it sure sounds like it: On Tuesday, crews were hauling … Continue reading Railroad bridge already is being torn down
Interstates mark 50 years
Don't look for parties or commemorations from Route 66 aficionados regarding the 50th anniversary of interstates in the United States this year. Interstates are universally cited as the reason for Route 66's downfall in the 1970s and '80s. The Mother Road started a comeback in the 1990s, but not before hundreds, if not thousands, of … Continue reading Interstates mark 50 years
Route 66 travel center being built near Albuquerque
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Fred Rael is building what is tentatively called Sedillo Hill 66 in the East Mountains between Edgewood and Albuquerque. Rael pointed out that the travel center site has a lot of history. Not only was the store once used as a truck stop and rest area back in the 1930s, … Continue reading Route 66 travel center being built near Albuquerque
Muffler Man on the block
A reader, Maj. Nelson, alerted me to this: A man is selling on eBay a Muffler Man that claims ties to Route 66. If you're in the dark, the Muffler Man is a 30-foot-tall fiberglass figure used to help draw attention to businesses. Many of these giants have their forearms out at an angle to … Continue reading Muffler Man on the block
Flagstaff’s city fathers see red
The Arizona Daily Sun is reporting about a culture (and color) clash between an Asian business owner and the Flagstaff Historic Preservation Committee. The business owner painted her business, The Golden Triangle, red with black trim because it reflects on her Asian culture, plus it's an attention-getter to customers. But Flagstaff's historic district along Route … Continue reading Flagstaff’s city fathers see red
Claremore spruces up its Mother Road artery
The Claremore Progress reports on the erecting of three memorials along the median of Lynn Riggs Boulevard, which is Route 66, in Claremore, Okla. The memorials pay tribute to native son Will Rogers and Route 66. Check it out.
Lexington, Ill., needs items for its time capsule
The Route 66 town of Lexington, Ill., was going to bury a time capsule during its sesquicentennial in July last year. But the committee that organized the event decided to allow the residents more time to gather items for the capsule. Among the items will be information from the Route 66 Biking Trail. According to … Continue reading Lexington, Ill., needs items for its time capsule
Grain elevator at Route 66 ghost town razed
The Associated Press reports that the old grain elevator at now-defunct Route 66 town of Ballard, Ill., northeast of Bloomington-Normal, was demolished Friday. The 80-foot-tall structure had been closed since the 1960s. Randy Smith a few years ago contributed an article to the Illinois Route 66 Association newsletter about the history the elevator (picture above). … Continue reading Grain elevator at Route 66 ghost town razed