Here's the latest in a series of "Route 66 Stories" video interviews by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. The subject is Doug Knight of Knight's Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure in Springfield. https://youtu.be/QuIOoRnuOcM Knight's Action Park also boasts one of the few drive-in theaters still operating on Route 66. And the complex also … Continue reading A chat with Doug Knight at Knight’s Action Park
Category: History
A chat with Heleen Thanas at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant
Here's the latest in a series of "Route 66 Stories" video interviews by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. The subject is Heleen Thanas, a longtime employee at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant in Chicago, near the start of Route 66. https://youtu.be/IgNAs6-fKuk Thanas claims she's a "neophyte" of Lou Mitchell's, but she knows a lot about the … Continue reading A chat with Heleen Thanas at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant
A chat with Rich Henry at Henry’s Ra66it Ranch
Here's the latest in a series of "Route 66 Stories" video interviews by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. This entry is about Rich Henry, proprietor of Henry's Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, Ill. https://youtu.be/j5elg_Rs-OA Henry's business is a recent inductee into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.
Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
You have to admire the nerve or foolishness of two pals who are so determined to travel old alignments of Route 66 that they get stuck not once, but twice, during their journey. That's what happens in Rick Antonson's "Route 66 Still Kicks" (Skyhorse Publishing, paperback, 336 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Although this book is … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Still Kicks”
Groundbreaking is tomorrow for rebuilding Santo Domingo Trading Post
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico will hold a long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony to restore the historic Santo Domingo Trading Post, heavily damaged in a fire more than a decade ago. According to a news release from the tribe: “We have looked forward to this day for several years,” says Gov. Sisto Quintana. … Continue reading Groundbreaking is tomorrow for rebuilding Santo Domingo Trading Post
A visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
There's no shortage of videos about Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, an honest-to-goodness landmark in St. Louis and Route 66 for about 80 years. But this one, produced by All About Business, is the best I've seen. It delves into the custard stand's history and includes an interview with Mr. Drewes himself. And the Ted Drewes … Continue reading A visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Springfield may have erroneously marked Route 66
A researcher says a 1926-30 alignment of Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., is erroneously marked in part of the city, according to a recent article in the Illinois Times. Carl Johnson, a land surveyor who's written several articles in the newsletter for the Illinois Route 66 Association, told the newspaper about the alleged error. Here's … Continue reading Springfield may have erroneously marked Route 66
Galena residents try to save former bordello
In the wake of an online petition, a historic and long-closed bordello across the street from the Route 66 landmark 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., has been spared from demolition and may eventually be purchased and renovated, reported the Joplin Globe. The Globe revealed that Mayor Dale Oglesby is part of a group … Continue reading Galena residents try to save former bordello
Another tour of Cajon Pass
BackroadsWest.com continues its excellent series about Route 66 in Southern California with this virtual tour of the newer Route 66 alignment through Cajon Pass: https://youtu.be/TM1_qzRnWbM The video about the 1914 alignment of Cajon Pass can be viewed here. A two-part video series about Route 66 from Victorville to Barstow is here. UPDATE: Mike Ward informs … Continue reading Another tour of Cajon Pass
A visit to Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard
Here's the latest "Route 66 Stories" video for the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. It's an interview with the Deck brothers and their Doc's Soda Fountain in downtown Girard, about 1 1/2 blocks off Illinois Highway 4, the 1926-32 alignment of Route 66. It's also home to the Deck's Drug Store museum. The store's history … Continue reading A visit to Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard