Not many people know this, but about 70 prisoners-of-war are buried just off Route 66 in Fort Reno west of El Reno, Oklahoma. They are Germans and Italians captured during World War II and brought to the Sooner State until the war was over. Heidi Brandes of the Reuters news service has some of the … Continue reading The little-known POW graves of Oklahoma
Category: History
What’s left of Ted’s Bull Pen
The dude who created this video, Adam the Woo, is adamantly irreverent. However, this is his fascinating closer look at an abandoned Route 66 truck stop, Ted's Bull Pen, in Ash Fork, Arizona. https://youtu.be/VCcXrhdTD1A An Internet link indicates Ted's was open as recently as 1998. And I found this document from 2012 that indicated Pilot … Continue reading What’s left of Ted’s Bull Pen
DVD review: “Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road”
David Bowyer's new DVD documentary, "Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road," doesn't explore the entire length of Route 66 -- hence the subtitle "Volume 1" that hints of future editions. But it proves to be a worthwhile addition to a roadie's video library, especially for those who love the desert Southwest. "Exploring Route 66" takes … Continue reading DVD review: “Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road”
Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday
It's hard to believe, but the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac already is marking its 10th anniversary Saturday. According to a news release from Pontiac Tourism: To commemorate this milestone, the museum will hold a special open house on that day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday
The former glory of the Bel-Aire Motel
The historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, is known for its retro neon sign and Sputnik structure on the roof. It's also known for hundreds of code violations and criminal activity by many of its tenants. It didn't used to be the latter. Columnist Dave Bakke of the Springfield State Journal-Register spoke to the daughter of … Continue reading The former glory of the Bel-Aire Motel
Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Filmmaker P.J. Palmer of (twenty)2 films is making a documentary movie about John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" novel after acquiring official rights from the Steinbeck estate, according to a news release. The new documentary "The Grapes of Wrath: We Shall Overcome" began filming in New York City last month interviewing James Franco, who is currently … Continue reading Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
The Sundowner Motel, a Route 66 lodging establishment in Albuquerque where Bill Gates and Paul Allen lived while starting Microsoft, will reopen to the public Tuesday after a $5.4 million renovation into apartments, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Developer NewLife Homes, which has refurbished other Route 66 motels in Albuquerque into housing, is holding a grand … Continue reading Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
The darker side of Route 66
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles recently uploaded a few more videos of interviews with longtime residents of Route 66. The museum is preparing for its "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit that starts June 8. But there's nothing particularly romantic about these clips. As a good museum should, these delve into the … Continue reading The darker side of Route 66
Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Gallup bucked the system during World War II
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles posted a few videos in recent days for its upcoming "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit. I encourage you to watch this one that features an interview with Hiroshi Miyamura, who says Gallup was the only town in New Mexico to not detain its Japanese-American residents during … Continue reading Gallup bucked the system during World War II