The Bloomington Pantagraph recently published a profile about longtime Illinois state trooper Chester Henry, who patrolled Route 66 and Interstate 55 in the Pontiac area for more than 25 years and wrote an estimated 50,000 speeding tickets. Henry, now 84, has been retired for about 30 years. He still drives his old beat from time … Continue reading Route 66’s lifeguard
Category: History
Autry museum launches fundraiser for Route 66 exhibit
The Autry National Center of the American West in Los Angeles has launched an online fundraising campaign to help pay for its upcoming and long-awaited “Route 66: The Road and the Romance," according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. The Autry wants to raise $66,000 within 30 days through IndieGoGo. The campaign launched Tuesday; through … Continue reading Autry museum launches fundraiser for Route 66 exhibit
Antique truck show will feature Campbell 66 Express
The American Truck Historical Society's National Convention in Springfield, Mo., not only will feature cruises and speech on Route 66, but a speaker about the town's long-closed Campbell 66 Express trucking firm, according to news release from the society and its website. The convention, scheduled for May 29-31 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, will include … Continue reading Antique truck show will feature Campbell 66 Express
Tri-County Truck Stop will host ‘ghost hunt’
The long-closed Tri-County Truck Stop along Route 66 in Villa Ridge, Mo., will host a "ghost hunt" by the Paranormal Task Force on Saturday night. According to a report in the Washington Missourian, the interactive event begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until 4 a.m. The cost is $50. Tickets may be bought here. Tri-County Truck … Continue reading Tri-County Truck Stop will host ‘ghost hunt’
Southwest Missouri station puts Route 66 segments online
Years ago, KY3-TV reporter Ed Fillmer, a native of the Route 66 town of Marshfield, Mo., shot segments about Route 66 in Missouri. Yesterday, the Springfield, Mo., station put those segments online. The video cannot be embedded, but I've provided direct links and descriptions of them. Some of these videos date to the 1970s. I recommend … Continue reading Southwest Missouri station puts Route 66 segments online
Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?
A historian with the National Park Service is searching for surviving buildings once listed in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" travel directory from 1936 to 1964, and he's asking for roadies' help in finding them along Route 66. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an annual guidebook for black drivers during the Jim Crow era. … Continue reading Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?
A chat with the co-owner of Del’s Restaurant
As part of his "Genuine Route 66 Life" series, KC Keefer interviews Yvette Peacock, co-owner of Del's Restaurant in Tucumcari, N.M. The restaurant opened in 1956. https://youtu.be/6SBJc09POqY And although Del's naturally plays up the beef part of its menu, its Mexican dishes are praised far and wide. (Image of the Del's sign by "Caveman Chuck" … Continue reading A chat with the co-owner of Del’s Restaurant
St. Clair museum will get new digs on Route 66
The St. Clair Historical Museum, destroyed by fire last week, will receive a new home for at least six months along Route 66 in St. Clair, Mo., reported the Washington Missourian. The Lindemanns, who own the St. Clair Health Mart Pharmacy, 855 N. Commercial Ave., have agreed to donate office space next door to their … Continue reading St. Clair museum will get new digs on Route 66
Elvis driving old Route 66 in Arizona
There's not much of a description to this video, except we know it's primarily Elvis Presley visiting Meteor Crater off Route 66 in Arizona in June 1967. All of the footage appears to be home movies. You'll also see glimpses the American Indian souvenir shops -- including Chief Yellowhorse's -- at the New Mexico-Arizona state line, … Continue reading Elvis driving old Route 66 in Arizona
Fire destroys St. Clair museum
A fire Sunday night destroyed a century-old building in downtown St. Clair, Mo., that housed the St. Clair Historical Museum, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Washington Missourian. The museum at 280 Hibbard St. stood about two blocks south of Route 66, and it housed a Route 66 exhibit. The building previously was an … Continue reading Fire destroys St. Clair museum