The Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill., opened to the public over the weekend. The Springfield State Journal-Register filed a story about the wide-ranging displays there. An excerpt: The museum includes American Indian artifacts found on Shoal Creek in Montgomery County, old farm tools, a gas pump, story of Sky View Drive-In, … Continue reading Litchfield museum opens
Category: History
Bono’s restaurant plans to reopen after moving building
In a story by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin about Joe Bono greeting Route 66 tourists at his long-closed Bono's Italian restaurant in Fontana, Calif., was this little nugget: Looking over architect's drawings, Bono said the restaurant, whose front windows are just a few feet shy of the now-four-lane Foothill Boulevard, will be moved south … Continue reading Bono’s restaurant plans to reopen after moving building
Doubts arise over history of Galena’s Murder Bordello
Numerous media outlets -- including Route 66 News -- have reported that Galena's Murder Bordello in Galena, Kan., served as the headquarters of a murderous madam, Ma Staffleback, during the 1890s when she and other accomplices may have killed dozens of clients. However, records unearthed by two members of an area historical society have cast … Continue reading Doubts arise over history of Galena’s Murder Bordello
Litchfield museum sets June 1 for grand opening
The Litchfield History Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill., has set Saturday, June 1, for its grand opening, according to a news release from the museum board. From the release: Designed to reflect the Route 66 era, the new attraction is located at 334 Historic Old Route 66 South on the site … Continue reading Litchfield museum sets June 1 for grand opening
Rolling Stones played first American show in San Berdoo
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
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