Reporter David Oliver of KOLR-TV takes a detailed look at the Route 66 Museum and Research Center tucked into Lebanon-Laclede County Library in Lebanon, Missouri. Curator Mark Spangler said he gets new items for the museum almost daily. He explained what the museum is trying to do: "We try to represent the large roadside accommodations … Continue reading A closer look at the Lebanon Route 66 museum
Category: History
DVD review: “Exit Zero”
The new 26-minute film "Exit Zero" doesn't so much explore the history of the Route 66 ghost town that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border as give an atmospheric look of what's there now and glimpses of what was there before. Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/0ClyUztE_FM Like Unoccupied Route 66's previous film about the deserted Painted Desert … Continue reading DVD review: “Exit Zero”
“Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”
Author Susan Croce Kelly began her "Father of Route 66: Cy Avery" presentation during the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, by imagining what would have happened if Edwardsville hosted a good-roads conference 100 years ago. The city, which had about 5,000 residents, probably would have drawn a number of attendees well beyond the town's … Continue reading “Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”
“Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”
A marketing professor revealed a little-known word -- anemoia -- he'd discovered only in the past year that probably explains why many people explore Route 66. Nick Gerlich, a professor at West Texas A&M and an avid explorer of old Route 66, explained during his presentation Oct. 31 at the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, that anemoia … Continue reading “Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”
“The Hidden Voices of Route 66”
David Dunaway's keynote speech, "The Hidden Voices of Route 66," to begin the Miles of Possibility: The Edwardsville Route 66 Conference on Oct. 27 at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, set a candid tone for much of the weekend's presentations. Using audio clips from his "Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story" audio program and excerpts … Continue reading “The Hidden Voices of Route 66”
All aboard the Lincoln County Express
Occasionally, you'll find out about something you unwittingly passed dozens of time but never saw. One of those things is the so-called Lincoln County Express, a child-sized locomotive and other metal sculptures that apparently have sat off Route 66 east of Stroud, Oklahoma, for decades. Tulsa photographer Rhys Martin discovered it in June 2014; apparently vegetation conceals it from … Continue reading All aboard the Lincoln County Express
Gateway Arch marks 50th year
Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch, the best-known symbol for the city of St. Louis. Indeed, it's one of the most famous monuments in the world, and although it isn't on Route 66, it remains a popular destination for tourists who are traveling the Mother Road. Much of the … Continue reading Gateway Arch marks 50th year
A closer look at McLean, Texas
The Once Upon a Town project -- a collaborative film effort that explores historic towns in Texas -- recently completed an eight-minute film about the Route 66 community of McLean, Texas. You'll see longtime Route 66 advocate Delbert Trew interviewed, along with a lot of nice drone-aircraft footage of McLean. https://youtu.be/1MIws0cvizk The Devil's Rope Museum … Continue reading A closer look at McLean, Texas
California Route 66 Museum marks 20th year
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville marked its 20th year of operation Saturday with a car show and hundreds of visitors -- and lots of anticipation for Route 66's 90th anniversary next year, reported the Daily Dispatch newspaper. The museum is open from Wednesday through Monday, with the other two days open by appointment … Continue reading California Route 66 Museum marks 20th year
More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac
Anthony Reichardt recently posted more videos from 1994 and 1995 when he drove Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The first is of the Hackberry General Store in Hackberry, Arizona, when it was owned and operated by the now-deceased Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. When you hear him talk about bats, you know you're listening … Continue reading More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac