The Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Mo., is marking its 80th year on Route 66, although the current longtime owner may not hold it for much longer, reported the Rolla Daily News. A bit of history from the newspaper: "We are the last original mom and pop store left on this historic road," said owner Tim Jones who … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post marks 80th year
Category: History
“American Giants,” Episode 3
Joel Baker has posted on YouTube the third episode of his "American Giants" series, which delves into the history of giant fiberglass figures, aka Muffler Men. This episode's focus is the Muffler Man on Route 66 in Atlanta, Ill. https://youtu.be/QIJ-71dVb-M You'll see footage of the Muffler Man being dismantled in Cicero, Ill., and being moved … Continue reading “American Giants,” Episode 3
Spring River Inn sign in Riverton will be restored
The old neon sign for the long-gone Spring River Inn restaurant in Riverton, Kan., has vanished, but eventually will reappear completely restored, reported the Joplin Globe. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association and one of the principal owners of Cars on the Route in nearby Galena, is raising funds to have the … Continue reading Spring River Inn sign in Riverton will be restored
Three minutes with Bob Waldmire
Bob Hall, who worked at KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, has been uploading some of his old reports to YouTube this week. Here's a well-produced one from 1989 about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. https://youtu.be/IDKDMWZ76WY Waldmire died in 2009 at age 64 from abdominal cancer. However, his legendary 1972 Volkswagen minibus still can be seen at … Continue reading Three minutes with Bob Waldmire
A tour of the Litchfield Route 66 museum
This 28-minute video from "Illinois Stories," produced by PBS affiliate WSEC-TV in Springfield, takes you inside the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/Ho5G74b75ws If you're a little short on time, you can skip ahead to the six-minute mark and let Ariston Cafe owner Nick Adam guide you and the host … Continue reading A tour of the Litchfield Route 66 museum
A look back at Lucille Hamons
Bob Hall, who used to work at KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, posted this report from 1988 about Lucille Hamons, owner of Lucille's service station on Route 66 in Hydro, Okla. This is interesting to watch, mostly because it was before Michael Wallis' best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" was published, kick-starting Route 66's renaissance. https://youtu.be/8Gr8KrSRYn4 … Continue reading A look back at Lucille Hamons
Broadway stage manager provides face-lift to Baxter Springs museum
An alum of Baxter Springs High School in southeastern Kansas is using his talents as a stage manager on Broadway to make long-needed improvements to the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum. According to the Joplin Globe, Brian Rardin has been working on the project for more than a year from his New York City … Continue reading Broadway stage manager provides face-lift to Baxter Springs museum
Route 66 touring exhibit being developed
A company based in Washington state is developing a touring show, "America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66," that will launch in early 2014. It is seeking artifacts or objects it can borrow to help tell the Mother Road's story. Seth Leary of NRG! Exhibits is based in Kirkland, Wash., but grew up in the Route … Continue reading Route 66 touring exhibit being developed
Kellyville adds commemorative oil derrick
The Route 66 town of Kellyville, Okla., recently added a commemorative, 30-foot-tall oil derrick next to Route 66 that was donated nearly a decade ago, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The Kelleyville Heritage Days Foundation plans to eventually place an LED sign on the derrick to tell travelers about upcoming events. A pump jack also was … Continue reading Kellyville adds commemorative oil derrick
Exploring Two Guns
A couple of chums on motorcycles explore the ruins of the Route 66 ghost town of Two Guns, Ariz., which once was the home to a gas station and a wild-animal zoo. https://youtu.be/0UhAXqfnmwE More about Two Guns may be read here.