Nick Gerlich, a marketing professor at West Texas A&M, explores obscure or near-forgotten stretches of the Mother Road. This video he produced will prove fascinating to Route 66 researchers. He examines remnants of the old road at Exit 15 of Interstate 40 in the far western Texas Panhandle, near the ghost town of Boise. https://youtu.be/DR9k8ez0M40 … Continue reading Exploring obscure remnants of Route 66
Category: History
Galena’s “Murder Bordello” being resurrected
A long-abandoned former bordello on Route 66 in Galena, Kan., owned by a serial-killer madam is being restored and will reopen next month as a site for guided tours. Russ Keeler, who operates After Midnight Paranormal Investigations, or AMPI, in Siloam Springs, Ark., persuaded the home's co-owners in January to spend thousands of dollars to restore … Continue reading Galena’s “Murder Bordello” being resurrected
Home movies of a 1950 road trip
A reader alerted me about this home-movie footage of a family vacation in 1950 that was preserved by the Prelinger Archive. The Route 66 material doesn't start until about the three-minute mark, when the family starts to cross the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. You'll also see footage along the Mother Road in … Continue reading Home movies of a 1950 road trip
Documentary about Route 66 will air Friday on European TV
For our European readers, Oscar-nominated director Katja Esson's five-part "Backroads" documentary is airing this week on the European television Arte channel, including the "Route 66 in the South West" segment on Friday. According to Arte's online channel guide, the program will air at 6:25 p.m. local time. Translated from German, the description of the program … Continue reading Documentary about Route 66 will air Friday on European TV
A look back at the 66 Park In Theatre
The YouTube account of hudson501 posted another gem in the past week. This one features a look at the long-gone 66 Park In Theatre in Crestwood, Mo., from September 1991. https://youtu.be/guZo-7778L4 The poster explains how this remarkable footage was obtained: I stopped along the south side of Watson Road (old Missouri US 66) to take … Continue reading A look back at the 66 Park In Theatre
Midpoint to … where?
A story a few days ago in the Mountain View Telegraph detailed about how local officials and volunteers in Moriarty and Edgewood, N.M., want to play their Route 66 history. The story often cites Roger Holden, who served as Edgewood's parks and recreation director: Replacing a few stolen signs is high on the list of … Continue reading Midpoint to … where?
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
A few days ago, a YouTube account called hudson501 posted a video from the 1990s of the long-gone Coral Court Motel in St. Louis and the now-closed Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Mo. Today, the account-holder uploaded a video of the induction of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame on June 8, 1991. … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
“American Giants” video series coming to YouTube
This looks like fun. Stone Baker soon will launch "American Giants," a series of online films about Muffler Men -- the tall fiberglass figures that graced roadside America during the 1960s and '70s. Baker uploaded a teaser video about his project: https://youtu.be/MUCZyAs0fAo The unique Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad restaurant on Route 66 in … Continue reading “American Giants” video series coming to YouTube
Memories of the Coral Court and Tri-County Truck Stop
A YouTube account by the name of Hudson501 uploaded this video from 1991 of the Coral Court Motel in St. Louis and the Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Mo. -- both of them Route 66 landmarks. The art deco-inspired Coral Court met its demise with a wrecking ball in 1995, and the truck stop … Continue reading Memories of the Coral Court and Tri-County Truck Stop
Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel
The Springfield, Mo., Area Chamber of Commerce honored Gordon Elliott as its 2013 Springfieldian during its annual meeting Friday, according to a news release. For those who don't know who Elliott is, his Route 66 connection will become quickly apparent. To the news release: As CEO of Elliott Lodging and Oak Ridge Properties, Elliott owns and … Continue reading Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel