This slipped through my radar, but the original Bob's Big Boy restaurant was established on Route 66 in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. Dan Kimpel of the Eagle Rock Patch dug up details about the eatery, which now boasts more than 100 restaurants in America and is best-known by its portly, smiling mascot. … Continue reading Original Big Boy restaurant was on Route 66
Category: History
1930 journal of Route 66 trip will be donated to museum
Claudia Heller, a correspondent of Route 66 stories for several Southern California newspapers, including the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, tells about a journal from a 1930 road trip on a fledgling Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago. Mary Desbrow wrote in the journal as she, her husband, and two children made the trip when … Continue reading 1930 journal of Route 66 trip will be donated to museum
“Cahokian”
This song by Jay Farrar is inspired by Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a former 11th-century American Indian city that is off an old alignment of Route 66 near Collinsville, Ill. The footage in this video provides a lot to think about -- namely, the passage of time and/or mankind's progress. Those who have studied … Continue reading “Cahokian”
San Bern restaurant once served the stars
Here's a long-closed restaurant that even the oldest Route 66 enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to remember. Mother Massetti's Inn at 1396 W. Fifth St. (aka Route 66) in San Bernardino, Calif., became a way for an Italian immigrant widow to support herself and her family. The Italian eatery became a hangout for many Hollywood stars … Continue reading San Bern restaurant once served the stars
First Dairy Queen designated a landmark
The building that housed the first Dairy Queen restaurant, located along old Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., has been designated a local landmark by the city council, reported The Herald-News. The two-story brick storefront at 501 N. Chicago St. (map and Google Street View image here) now houses a local church, but is little-changed otherwise. … Continue reading First Dairy Queen designated a landmark
Promotional trailer for Coliseum documentary
Jim Marcacci and Bruce Logsdon of Sound & Image Videography are producing a documentary about the history of the colorful Coliseum music venue in Benld, Ill., which is on an older alignment of Route 66. Sound & Image has just released a 9-minute promotional video. You'll see a lot of good memorabilia and information. The breadth … Continue reading Promotional trailer for Coliseum documentary
Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month
Volunteers may move a historic steam locomotive to Route 66 Station park in the 3700 block of Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa later this month, according to the Tulsa World. The operative word is "may," because the group of railroad buffs has blown a number of self-imposed deadlines before. Later this month, a steam locomotive, a … Continue reading Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month
Wayside exhibit installed in Virden
A new wayside exhibit about Route 66 and a violent labor battle in 1898 was installed Sunday in Virden, Ill., reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Virden sits on the 1926-30 alignment of Route 66 south of Springfield. The wayside exhibit stands at Downtown Virden Park. The Battle of Virden, as it's called, occurred on Oct. … Continue reading Wayside exhibit installed in Virden
Good tribute, sloppy publicity
Today, I found this news release about a parade and tribute to the late actor Steve McQueen today in Los Angeles: The Jules Verne Festival and the City of Los Angeles are proud to announce the Kick-Off to the Steve McQueen 30th Anniversary Celebration. On Sunday November 7th, four days before the Official Tribute event, … Continue reading Good tribute, sloppy publicity
Walking the Sidewalk Highway
Daniel Johnson is embarking on a coast-to-coast walk to spread the Gospel of Christ. He's covered more than 2,700 miles so far, and that included a stroll on the fabled "Sidewalk Highway" of old Route 66 near Miami, Okla. This video segment proves to be informative and whimsical, without the preaching that you might expect.