Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial

The United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin, Missouri, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. June 12 to mark the 100th anniversary of its uniquely designed Jewish temple, situated on Route 66. Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc., a group dedicated to preserving the historic Murphysburg residential district in Joplin, is partnering with the congregation for … Continue reading Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial

A long-ago chat with Juan Delgadillo at the Snow Cap Drive-In

Anthony Reichardt recently posted another video from the early 1990s, when he and a pal drove Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. In it, Reichardt chats with Juan Delgadillo, late owner of the Snow Cap Drive-In restaurant in Seligman, Arizona, who put away the gags and other practical jokes for a few minutes. It's interesting, … Continue reading A long-ago chat with Juan Delgadillo at the Snow Cap Drive-In

Los Angeles may preserve ‘Green Book’ properties

Los Angeles and the Getty Conservation Institute are exploring the possibility of rehabbing and protecting about 50 properties once listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book. A few of the properties may be designated as L.A. Historic-Cultural Monuments, reported the Los Angeles Times. The Green Book was created by Victor H. Green, a postal service worker from Harlem, N.Y., … Continue reading Los Angeles may preserve ‘Green Book’ properties

Reporter walking length of Oklahoma City’s Route 66

Brianna Bailey, a reporter for The Oklahoman newspaper, has begun a fascinating examination of Route 66 in Oklahoma City -- she's walking a mile a day on the Mother Road. Here's a video by the newspaper from Day 1, along Lincoln Boulevard: I did not know Gov. Frank Keating, who held office during the 1990s, … Continue reading Reporter walking length of Oklahoma City’s Route 66

Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released

Filmmaker KC Keefer and host Nick Gerlich of Unoccupied Route 66 recently released this trailer for "The Missouri Maze," an area of the Show Me State where Route 66 was rerouted several times. The ruins of John's Modern Cabins near Newburg, Missouri, play a prominent role, although other landmarks of the region also appear. https://youtu.be/E_91r4gqDe0 "The Missouri … Continue reading Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released

New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66

   For several years, the town of Springfield, Missouri, has proclaimed itself as the "Birthplace of Route 66" and in recent years launched a fast-growing festival of the same name. Now it appears new historical research has deepened the link between Route 66, Springfield and its birth date of April 30, 1926. From a news release … Continue reading New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66

Interview with a former Harvey Girl from La Posada

This new, well-produced interview features JoAn Fuller, who worked as a Harvey Girl at La Posada at Winslow, Arizona, during the mid-1940s. Fuller also lived near Route 66 in Prewitt, New Mexico, when her husband worked for the railroad. JoAn Fuller Interview from Katrina Parks on Vimeo. It turns out the Fuller interview was produced by … Continue reading Interview with a former Harvey Girl from La Posada

Filmmaker needs music for Route 66 documentary

A New York-based filmmaker who's making a documentary, "The Revival," about the renaissance of Route 66 after it was decertified as a U.S. highway needs some music from Oklahomans to help her finish the film. Kaila Keller, who hails from Tulsa, centers much of the film around her hometown and Oklahoma, although footage on Route 66 … Continue reading Filmmaker needs music for Route 66 documentary

A new view of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

Jeff Pierson recently took his drone copter onto the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis and got some fascinating footage from the air. Not only do you get an overhead view of the 1929 bridge, but also the two remarkably close looks of the intake towers in the Mississippi River that once helped supply water … Continue reading A new view of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

“American Indians and Route 66” guide published

A 68-page "American Indians and Route 66" guide for tourists recently was published, along with its companion website. "American Indians and Route 66" is a partnership between the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which awarded a cost-share grant for the publication. Lisa Hicks Snell, a member of the … Continue reading “American Indians and Route 66” guide published