The History Museum of Springfield-Greene County in Springfield, Mo., is running out of room, and it hopes to reopen in a former downtown department store sometime in 2013, reported KY3-TV in Springfield. The station said: Three years ago the museum bought the old Barth’s department store building on the northeast quadrant of Park Central Square. Construction … Continue reading New history museum in Springfield, Mo., may open by 2013
Category: History
A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death
I sorta hate to bring this up, since it's a trivial fact in light of a tragedy. But the hotel where singing superstar Whitney Houston died on Saturday -- the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. -- sits next to Route 66. A reader alerted me to this today. The hotel lists its address as 9876 … Continue reading A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death
Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Every two years, one living and one deceased person are chosen for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. It is that time again. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is seeking nominations for 2012. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be May 26 at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here's what's need … Continue reading Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
The latest Route 66 Village project
The Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa contains an old steam locomotive, several rail cars, and a gigantic replica of an oil derrick. Here's the latest project that volunteers are working on, via KOTV:
Book review: “A Route 66 Companion”
Roadies leafing through David King Dunaway's "A Route 66 Companion" (University of Texas Press, soft cover, 162 pages) may get a jolt of bittersweet nostalgia. That's because the pages are sprinkled with intricate pen-and-ink drawings of Bob Waldmire, the beloved Route 66 artist and roving hippie who died of cancer in late 2009. Waldmire's artwork … Continue reading Book review: “A Route 66 Companion”
Survivor of Joplin hotel collapse dies
Alfred Summers, the lone survivor of a collapse in 1978 of a large motel along Route 66 in Joplin, Mo., died Friday at age 64, according to the Joplin Globe. Summers, part of demolition crew, was trapped in the rubble for more than three days before he was extricated. Two co-workers died in the unexpected … Continue reading Survivor of Joplin hotel collapse dies
Historic L.A. restaurant displays its original facade
Clifton's Cafeteria, a historic restaurant in downtown Los Angeles near the original western terminus of Route 66, on Wednesday removed the aluminum that hid the building's original 1904 facade for nearly 50 years, reported the Los Angeles Times. The new view was a little unsightly. But the facade will be restored as part of an … Continue reading Historic L.A. restaurant displays its original facade
“Catoosa Blue: A Love Story”
This is a short documentary film about the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla., created by high-schooler Alexander Knight. https://youtu.be/7QDwXVDOQhs The film premiered during the deadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City last summer. Knight donated the film to the Catoosa Arts & Tourism Society/Fins of the Blue Whale volunteer group, which is working to preserve the Route 66 … Continue reading “Catoosa Blue: A Love Story”
Where is the western end of Route 66?
Dan Rice, owner of the 66-to-Cali souvenir shop on the Santa Monica Pier, does a very good job answering that question. The western terminus of the Mother Road has a complicated history: https://youtu.be/BTY26SpkNAc
The Motels of Route 66 project will spawn a book and film
Simon Cantlon, an Emmy-nominated producer of digital media for the entertainment industry, has launched The Motels of Route 66 project that will spawn a documentary film and a book. Cantlon created this video that explains his project: https://youtu.be/YoezV5IWF90 According to his website: The Motels of Route 66 project will capture the spirit of these motels, … Continue reading The Motels of Route 66 project will spawn a book and film