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
Category: History
“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
The legendary blizzard of 1956
I stumbled today onto this story in the The Courier of Montgomery County, Texas, about a freak blizzard that struck the Plains of New Mexico and Texas on Feb. 4, 1956. The storm blanketed snow from Amarillo to the north, Tucumcari, N.M., to the west, and Wink to the south. Even El Paso got 5 … Continue reading The legendary blizzard of 1956
Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
David Lamb of Smithsonian magazine has written an excellent article about Route 66's abandonment by the U.S. highway system and the Mother Road's eventual revival. It's in the February issue, but you can read it online here. The article focuses on Arizona -- Angel Delgadillo and the small Route 66 town of Seligman, La Posada … Continue reading Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
The City of Springfield, Mo., discussed ideas Wednesday on how to revitalize College Street west of downtown, which also served as the original Route 66. KSPR-TV filed this good video report: One person voiced concerns that are on the minds of many roadies. According to the Springfield News-Leader: Route 66 Association of Missouri President Tommy … Continue reading Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
Was the cheeseburger invented on Route 66?
The Pasadena Sun newspaper investigates the claim that the cheeseburger was invented in a diner on Route 66 in Pasadena, Calif. It turns out the case is fairly strong: Legend has it that teenage short-order cook Lionel Clark Sternberger invented the cheeseburger one fateful day in the mid-1920s at a restaurant called “The Rite Spot” … Continue reading Was the cheeseburger invented on Route 66?
Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
Tulsa's Blue Dome District in the eastern part of downtown has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. According to NPS, the listing was effective Dec. 13. The district includes Second Street, an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. The approximate … Continue reading Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register