The historic Manor Hotel in Channahon, Ill., located on a later alignment of Route 66, is undergoing extensive renovations in the coming months, according to the Channahon-Minooka Patch. According to the article, the stoutly constructed hotel was built in 1954 by masonry contractor Walt Anderson, who ran it until the late 1970s. Prakash Silveri is now the … Continue reading Historic Manor Hotel being renovated
Category: History
Volunteers clean up former Little Beaver Town
First, I'll let this video from KOB-TV in Albuquerque explain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWfIWcpYZ_k And here's the story about the cleanup at the Route 66 Open Space, which is east of Albuquerque and west of Tijeras Canyon. The City of Albuquerque has an explanation of the Open Space Program: Open Space works to acquire and protect the natural … Continue reading Volunteers clean up former Little Beaver Town
Along Central Avenue
Here's an interesting video about the history and character of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque: https://vimeo.com/21028087 A good chunk of the clip includes an interview with Robert Randazzo of Absolutelyneon.com.
Mining and Route 66 museum coming to Godley
An Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum soon will be established in the old City Hall building of Godley, Ill., according to a news release today. Exhibits will feature the region's mining roots, its ancient beginnings unearthed as the result of the mining industry, the Route 66 culture the evolved along the way, and other topics … Continue reading Mining and Route 66 museum coming to Godley
A road trip in 1961
The YouTube description of this video: This clip opens with my mom holding a little home made sign that says "California, here we come, Hugh, Ag and Jeff". This was the first day of our trip west in 1961. We left from Caseville and traveled historic Route 66 the first few days. By late afternoon … Continue reading A road trip in 1961
Film about Arizona’s Route 66 in production
A filmmaker is making a short movie about the history and attractions of Arizona's Route 66 and plans to offer a DVD in time for the Arizona Historic Route 66 Fun Run in May. Norman Fisk, in an e-mail, said "Route 66 Arizona (A Story of America)" should be about 45 minutes, with approximately another … Continue reading Film about Arizona’s Route 66 in production
The Marx Brothers’ connection to Route 66
I'll bet you didn't know the vaudeville and future movie stars once owned a farm in a location that eventually would be Route 66 in Countryside, Ill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlh9CMglLWU According to the video description, the Marx Brothers' "Chicagoland" farm lay four miles west of Chicago, on the northeast corner of South LaGrange Road and Joliet Road (aka … Continue reading The Marx Brothers’ connection to Route 66
A postcard from a bygone agricultural era
Brian Mackey wrote this exceptional story for the Springfield State Journal-Register about the historic Manske-Niemann Farm, which is south of Litchfield, Ill., just off Route 66. An excerpt: Perhaps the most remarkable fact about the Manske-Niemann Farm is that it has been continuously occupied and worked by the same family since Abraham Lincoln was in the … Continue reading A postcard from a bygone agricultural era
Exploring the Inland Empire’s Route 66
Here's a good video about The Magic Lamp Inn restaurant, which has graced Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., since 1955. This is part of the ongoing Inland Empire Explorer series. Here are more Route 66-related videos about Sierra Bakery and Wigwam Motel in Rialto, and the McDonald's Museum in San Bernardino (owned by Juan … Continue reading Exploring the Inland Empire’s Route 66
A tour of Cajon Pass
This is an enticing opportunity for history buffs. Historian Nicholas Cataldo will lead an all-day expedition at Southern California's Cajon Pass, which once carried Route 66, on March 12. According to San Bernardino County Sun columnist John Weeks: "Exploring the Cajon Pass: Gateway to the San Bernardino Valley" is offered through Cal State San Bernardino's … Continue reading A tour of Cajon Pass