Joel Baker has posted the second episode of "American Giants," an exploration of Muffler Men found across the country. https://youtu.be/xALGXa6svO0 This episode deals with the history of the company that built the fiberglass figures, and the Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man on Route 66 in Springfield, Ill.
Category: History
The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Mark Brown at This Land Press wrote a long piece about the history and amazing consistency of Tulsa's first Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande, which still serves customers on 11th Street (aka Route 66) more than 60 years after it opened. The whole thing is worth reading, but here are a few nuggets from it: … Continue reading The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Footage from the Bunion Derby
Here's rare footage of runners participating in C.C. Pyle's International Transcontinental Foot Race, aka the Bunion Derby, in 1928. Two-thirds of the Los Angeles-to-New York race took place on a fledgling Route 66. The footage is an excerpt from the Solomon Sir Jones Collection at Yale University. Jones was an African-American preacher who took his … Continue reading Footage from the Bunion Derby
Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies
Irwin Held, 87, who owned the Route 66 landmark restaurant Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif., for nearly 30 years, died of a kidney ailment Monday in his Los Angeles home, reported the Los Angeles Times. To hear Held's daughter Linda Shabot tell it, her father probably saved the restaurant from the wrecking ball when he … Continue reading Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies
How Funks Grove maple sirup is made
This video by Pounds Media about Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup in Funks Grove, Ill., is the best about the company we've seen. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup from Pounds Media on Vimeo. It makes you want to jump in the car, drive to that little Route 66 hamlet, and buy a bottle.
Garavelli’s restaurant in St. Louis closing soon
Garavelli's Cafeteria Restaurant, a fixture on the Chippewa Street alignment of Route 66 in south St. Louis, will shut its doors for good on June 28, according to an announcement on its Facebook page. It is with deep sadness that we announce the closing of Garavelli's Cafeteria. After many great years with all of you, … Continue reading Garavelli’s restaurant in St. Louis closing soon
Springfield, Mo., attributes tourism surge to Route 66
The number of tourists in Springfield, Mo., this year has risen by a healthy percentage this year, and officials are partially crediting Route 66 for the surge, reported KY3-TV in Springfield. Citing the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, the station reports that overnight stays in hotels are up 12 percent and the number of tourists … Continue reading Springfield, Mo., attributes tourism surge to Route 66
Harvey Girls documentary to debut in Kansas City
A new documentary, "The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound," will debut at 6:30 p.m. June 21 at the National Archives in Kansas City, Mo. The film, directed by Katrina Parks and produced by Katrina and Michael Parks and Thaddeus Homan, will be part of the "Fred Harvey: The Man, the Brand, and the American West" exhibition that runs … Continue reading Harvey Girls documentary to debut in Kansas City
Major Route 66 exhibit coming to Autry Center in a year
I just got this news release today. Some of you folks already know about it. But for those who don't ... We are one year away from the opening of a major exhibition on the history of the Mother Road. "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" will open on June 7, 2014, at the … Continue reading Major Route 66 exhibit coming to Autry Center in a year
More details emerge on Bob Waldmire film
Mark Silverstein, who announced last year he was making a documentary about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, provided more details on the film to Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register columnist Dave Bakke. This week, Mark and his wife, Maggie Schmidt, and a cinematographer are working on their film in Springfield and at the Route 66 Association … Continue reading More details emerge on Bob Waldmire film