On the same weekend the Rolling Stones played a gig in Los Angeles during their 50th-anniversary tour, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported this fact -- the Stones' first show in the United States took place in the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, Calif. Local promoter Bob Lewis said the Stones' show on June … Continue reading Rolling Stones played first American show in San Berdoo
Category: History
A brief history of the Blue Whale
"The List," an entertainment program by KJRH-TV in Tulsa, recently produced this segment about the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla. https://youtu.be/5oBCbv-NFok The segment promotes the Blue Tie Affair on May 9, which serves as a primary fundraiser to help maintain the Route 66 landmark.
Route 66 exhibit opens at Springfield, Mo., museum
A new exhibit about a local history of Route 66 -- "Woodruff's Dream: The Mother Road Through Springfield" -- opened over the weekend at the History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Mo. It speaks a lot for the exhibit when Tonya Pike, a local who's very well-versed about Route 66, said it made … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit opens at Springfield, Mo., museum
An NPR commentary about the “Route 66” TV show
In 2003, Larry Cohen delivered this commentary about the 1960s television drama, "Route 66," on WRVO-FM, a National Public Radio station in New York state. https://youtu.be/61b1ZxqnW0Y Cohen said he was inspired to do the piece after talking to the officers of Route 66 organizations. On a related note, you can read about my chat with … Continue reading An NPR commentary about the “Route 66” TV show
A treasure trove of Route 66 interviews
In recent days, a fellow by the name of Jay Crim has uploaded dozens of interviews from over the years with prominent Route 66 figures. The people being interviewed include Jerry McClanahan, Harley and Annabelle Russell, Michael Wallis, Angel Delgadillo, Mike Callens, Becky Ransom, David Knudson, Jim Ross, and a few other folks. The interviews … Continue reading A treasure trove of Route 66 interviews
Video about Tulsa’s Route 66 and Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza
The City of Tulsa produced this video about the city's section of Route 66 and Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. The clip concentrates on the recent installation of the "East Meets West" statues: https://youtu.be/3381Gg3Aa3U
Fire destroys former reputed brothel used by Al Capone
A brush fire destroyed two homes Saturday in the Route 66 town of Godley, Ill., including one structure that reputedly was a brothel used by notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone, reported the Joliet Herald News. Kalvin Noonan, who owned the homes, said the fires started when township workers burned debris nearby. Noonan said the property … Continue reading Fire destroys former reputed brothel used by Al Capone
A ghost on the borderlands
Nick Gerlich, who's been exploring old alignments of Route 66 in Texas and New Mexico, produced a new video about the ghost town of Glenrio, on the Texas and New Mexico border. Glenrio, due to its direct access off Interstate 40 via Exit 0, isn't as obscure as Gerlich's other recent explorations. But that doesn't … Continue reading A ghost on the borderlands
Springfield museum exhibit will focus on Route 66, its patriarch
An exhibit dedicated to John Woodruff and the highway he helped guide to fruition, Route 66, will debut April 28 at History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Mo. According to a news release from the museum: The exhibit titled “Woodruff ’s Dream: The Mother Road through Springfield -- The Route 66 Exhibit” will be on display at the … Continue reading Springfield museum exhibit will focus on Route 66, its patriarch
Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Loretta (Marten) Ludek, 74, who was instrumental in founding the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine along old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., died Tuesday at her home in Anderson, Ind., according to an obituary by Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home. The Our Lady site explains Loretta's role in getting the statue there: In June of 1958, … Continue reading Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies