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
Category: History
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
A trip into the past
This is a special music video. Not only does it contain audio of live-in-concert performance of "Route 66" by Asleep At the Wheel during the 1970s, but it's interspersed with footage of Route 66 from a 1980s news report and vintage photos of the band. You'll even spot the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, a … Continue reading A trip into the past
Radio series explores eastern Oklahoma’s Mother Road
In the few weeks, KRPS, a public radio station in Pittsburg, Kan., produced a series of short stories about Route 66 in eastern Oklahoma. You can hear them here. The Hogue House, a Sears home, in Chelsea, Okla. [audio https://www.krps.org/archive/r66-7.mp3] Afton Station in Afton, Okla. [audio https://www.krps.org/archive/r66-6.mp3] Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Okla. [audio https://www.krps.org/archive/r66-4.mp3] Hammett House restaurant … Continue reading Radio series explores eastern Oklahoma’s Mother Road
Longtime owner of Truxton motel and cafe dies
Mildred Barker, longtime co-owner of the Truxton Cafe and Frontier Motel in the Route 66 hamlet of Truxton, Ariz., died Thursday at age 87, according to an obituary today in the Kingman Daily Miner. Ray and Mildred Barker purchased the Truxton cafe and its attached motel in 1957. She and her husband were born in … Continue reading Longtime owner of Truxton motel and cafe dies
A music video for a festival
The Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau of Springfield, Mo., put together this music video about the upcoming Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. Most of the images come from Route 66 in Springfield or the surrounding area. The music, "The Middle of Everywhere," is by The Road Crew, which has recorded a lot of tunes that … Continue reading A music video for a festival
A tour of the Wigwam Motel’s lobby
Kumar Patel, operator of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., shows the souvenirs, memorabilia, and artifacts that are displayed in the lobby of his historic Route 66 motel: https://youtu.be/GwEhy19cXkQ The old photos of the wigwams when they were being built in the late 1940s are especially fascinating.
An early image of La Bajada Hill
Take a look at the above photo. It's a photograph of a circa-1922 Dodge Bros. Touring Car at La Bajada Hill, southwest of Santa Fe, N.M. Date of the image is unknown, but likely before Route 66 was certified in 1926. The back of the photo read: Ma and Dad. This is at the top … Continue reading An early image of La Bajada Hill