Merle Haggard, considered one of the greatest country-music artists in history, died today after a long series of health problems, according to his manager. He was 79. Today also was his birthday. We'll let other music writers tell about Haggard's considerable legacy, which is far deeper than "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee." (His one-man … Continue reading Merle Haggard, R.I.P.
Category: History
Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
The Barnes Town and Country store, which has served customers along Route 66 west of Springfield, Missouri, since 1934, likely will close by the end of the month unless someone buys the business. Brothers Rick and Randy Perryman have run the Barnes Town and Country in the little hamlet of Elwood Siding for more than 40 … Continue reading Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
Meramec Caverns may be closed until mid-summer
Toxic fumes have forced the closing of Meramec Caverns near Stanton, Missouri. until at least mid-summer. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the historic roadside attraction off Route 66 closed March 10 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found trichloroethylene vapors above the acceptable limit in the caverns. TCE is a solvent used mainly to remove … Continue reading Meramec Caverns may be closed until mid-summer
Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center draws 16,000 its first year
The Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois, is rapidly approaching the first anniversary of its opening and reports more than 16,000 visitors since that time. The Bloomington-Normal region decided to build the Route 66-themed part of McLean County Museum of History because Route 66 tourists were bypassing the Twin Cities. More Route … Continue reading Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center draws 16,000 its first year
Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Frances Edwards, the wife of longtime Pig Hip Restaurant owner Ernie Edwards, died March 1 at age 94 at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln, Illinois. She helped her second husband, Ernie, at his landmark Pig Hip in Broadwell, Illinois, for about 30 years until the restaurant closed in 1991 after 54 years in business along Route … Continue reading Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Zettlers Route 66 store opening soon in Ash Fork
A couple from Montana is reviving an old business in Ash Fork, Arizona, as the Zettlers Route 66 store. Zettlers Route 66 will open Friday after owners Kirk and Yvette Slack finished about 15 months of cleaning and renovations to the building, reported the Grand Canyon News. The store features a working 1960s Coke machine, Native … Continue reading Zettlers Route 66 store opening soon in Ash Fork
A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
KC Keefer interviewed Don Greico Jr., the proprietor of Lulu's Beef, which has occupied the corner of Leavitt Street, Taylor Street and Odgen Avenue (aka Route 66) in Chicago for nearly 50 years. Keefer describes the restaurant as exuding "Chicago charm," and Greico reflects that as well. And if you're craving a Chicago-style hot dog, Lulu's … Continue reading A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
Will Rogers Memorial Museum merged into Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin this week signed her first bill of the 2016 state legislative session, which was to transfer the Will Rogers Memorial Commission into the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was a move that was sought for years and supported by both organizations. Tad Jones, director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, explained a few … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum merged into Oklahoma Historical Society
Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
A poor shoeshine boy who took coins from a wishing well at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles returned to the restaurant many decades later to repay it "with interest." The LAist got the scoop on this remarkable story about Willie Gordon, who later became a successful attorney and detective novelist and married another author, … Continue reading Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
Review: “Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures”
A new Route 66 book designed mostly for children finds a way to explain what still exists on the Mother Road and what is gone. Adults also might find pleasure with the text by Phyllis Chandler Grey and illustrations by Texas Tim Webb in "Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures" (hardback, 66 pages, … Continue reading Review: “Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures”