Category: History

New photo-op in Albuquerque

If you love the glow of neon, you'll find a new attraction among the many you'll find along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque. A re-created sign was installed on the side of the KiMo Theatre during a ceremony on June 3. Because the theater was originally opened in 1927, the street during the … Continue reading New photo-op in Albuquerque

Where was this photo taken?

Today, I received this email from Lt. John Bayer of the U.S. Navy: I'm seeking help identifying where the attached family photo was taken.  This was photographed during a family road trip from Cleveland to CA in 1929.  Presumed to be along Route 66. The people in the photo are identified as Bayer's uncle and … Continue reading Where was this photo taken?

Book review: “Get Your Pics on Route 66”

Joe Sonderman has written at least four books through Arcadia Publishing using his massive collection of vintage postcards from Route 66. Alas, those books come in black-and-white, preventing readers from seeing the postcards' vivid colors. That problem has been rectified with a beautiful new book, "Get Your Pics on Route 66" (160 pages, softcover, full … Continue reading Book review: “Get Your Pics on Route 66”

Michael Wallis’ “State of the Road” speech

Each year at the International Route 66 Festival awards banquet, "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis makes a "State of the Road" speech. Save for a time when it was streamed live, I'm not aware anyone has ever posted video of Wallis' Route 66 speeches on the Internet. Wallis owns a great baritone … Continue reading Michael Wallis’ “State of the Road” speech

Angel’s story

This is an excerpt from the recently released film "Route 66 Arizona." This segment concentrates on Angel Delgadillo and his hometown, Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/YHWjLkkkHJk The DVD of this film can be purchased here.

A chip off the old block

We'd heard a rumor of a new restaurant along Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., that used recipes from Pop Hicks restaurant, which burned down in a fire in 1999 and was never rebuilt. That rumor turned out to be false. However, the restaurant in question, Gayla's at the Market, turned out to have long Route … Continue reading A chip off the old block

Book about Wagon Wheel Motel published

An illustrated book about the history of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., has just been published. Riva Echols, sister of the motel's owner Connie Echols, wrote "The History of a Route 66 Icon: The Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66" (102 pages, $15.99, paperback). According to the news release about the book: Riva … Continue reading Book about Wagon Wheel Motel published

Former Route 66 Cafe, motel put up for sale

The former Route 66 Cafe and adjacent Belvidere Motel along old 825 Old Route 66 South in Litchfield, Ill., have been put up for sale for $150,000. The restaurant's operators left the property a few years ago, telling me at the time that the landlord hadn't fixed the roof. But, according to the listing for … Continue reading Former Route 66 Cafe, motel put up for sale

AP’s video on Angel Delgadillo

As promised, the Associated Press today posted a video about Angel Delgadillo, to accompany the AP story that ran this weekend. https://youtu.be/MlHC6gSDmVg