Unoccupied Route 66 continues its mix of history and atmospheric images of forlorn Route 66 sites in its latest documentary, "The Missouri Maze." The 26-minute film ($14.95 list, shipping included), directed by KC Keefer and hosted by Nick Gerlich, tells about a mid-Missouri area where Route 66 ended up realigned, realigned again, then abandoned by Interstate 44. Here's … Continue reading DVD review: “The Missouri Maze”
Category: History
Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
A group of middle-school students from rural Iowa captured a national title for their Route 66 presentation during the annual National History Day contest in Maryland last week. Jack Anderson, Jader Briggs, Megan Swancutt, Daytona Foley and Logan Smith of Akron-Westfield Community School in Akron, Iowa, finished first place in the Junior Group Performance division at nationals with … Continue reading Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
“Boomtown: An American Journey” film nominated for an Emmy
The Tulsa history film "Boomtown: An American Journey" was nominated for an Emmy Award in the historical documentary group in the Heartland chapter. Russ Kirkpatrick, owner and producer of Kirkpatrick and Kinslow Productions that made the film, said in an email the Emmy announcement was made Thursday: As you may remember a component of the … Continue reading “Boomtown: An American Journey” film nominated for an Emmy
Women on the Mother Road website launched
Cinefemme and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Thursday the release of The Women on the Mother Road website and oral-history project. According to a news release from the corridor program: The Women On The Mother Road: Route 66 Web-site and Oral History Project, www.route66women.com, creates a public history record that sheds light on diverse women’s experiences … Continue reading Women on the Mother Road website launched
Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
The effort to preserve Route 66's historic landmarks is the focus of this seven-minute segment on "PBS NewsHour." It's a pretty good segment, but a few viewers already noted the old film footage of motorists traveling into Nevada and Utah was used in error -- Route 66 never went into those states. A podcast for … Continue reading Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
A number of books, websites and even an application to the National Register of Historic Places tell a tragic story of Ted F. Jones, former owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was reported for years that Jones, a prominent eastern New Mexico rancher, owned the Route 66 motel through much of … Continue reading So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store
Galena's Bordello in Galena, Kansas, recently was purchased by an English couple and has been converted into an antiques store. KSN-TV reports David and Vicky Horbury have changed the name to Bordello Antiques: They sell all antiques that are imported from their home country. They say they fell in love with the people and Route … Continue reading Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store
Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
As Memorial Day approaches, do yourself a favor and read this amazing story from the Chicago Tribune about a schoolteacher who guided his students to identify worn tombstones of once-forgotten Civil War soldiers at a cemetery overlooking Route 66 in Odell, Illinois. The Tribune also created a video about the Operation Gravestone project, which likely will make … Continue reading Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
Book review: “The Zeon Files”
"The Zeon Files" provides a colorful glimpse of Albuquerque's past with dozens of a company's working drawings of neon signs that once graced the Route 66 corridor decades ago. But what's most striking is the drawings are revealed as detailed and precise as any architectural rendering. The people who made these signs weren't just blue-collar guys who'd learned the trade of fire, electricity … Continue reading Book review: “The Zeon Files”
Route 66 part of Devore Interchange Project not quite finished
Friday marked the finish of a huge part of the $324 million Devore Interchange Project in Southern California. However, the part that would have reconnected a two-mile section of Route 66 for the first time in decades won't be finished for another month or two. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the interchange was held Friday that … Continue reading Route 66 part of Devore Interchange Project not quite finished