I didn't know this about the historic Painted Desert Inn, located in the Petrified Forest National Park. Apparently I have a new contender for the top ghost sites on Route 66 that I posted yesterday. According to National Parks Traveler: Almost 60 years ago, during the evening of April 9, 1953, the Painted Desert Inn … Continue reading The ghost of the Painted Desert Inn
Category: History
“The Route 66 of the West”
The Press-Enterprise posted a fascinating historical article about U.S. 395, which goes 1,400 miles from Canada to Mexico through Washington, Oregon and California. Route 66 obviously stays true to U.S. 66, the Mother Road. But we're happy to occasionally give some bandwidth to other notable historic highways. From the article: U.S. Route 66 is a … Continue reading “The Route 66 of the West”
A view from Pacific’s bluff
The Missourian in Washington, Mo., has posted a fascinating story about the famous bluff in Blackburn Park in Pacific, Mo. This landmark is right on Route 66, at the intersection of Osage Street and Second Street. The story bristles with interesting history, including: Even many locals are unaware there is access to the top of … Continue reading A view from Pacific’s bluff
Barney’s Beanery marks 90th year
Barney's Beanery, a West Hollywood restaurant based on Route 66, is marking its 9oth anniversary this month. And the Los Angeles Times today has one of the most attention-getting lead paragraphs I've read: It's a story so revolting and so legendary that it has achieved near mythical status. One night in the 1960s, during a … Continue reading Barney’s Beanery marks 90th year
Wayside exhibits soon will be installed in Pontiac
The city of Pontiac, Ill., has received five Route 66 Heritage Trail wayside exhibits for several sites around the city, according to a news release from Pontiac Tourism. The Route 66 Heritage Trail exhibits are a project of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Commission. The new Pontiac wayside exhibits are made of stainless steel … Continue reading Wayside exhibits soon will be installed in Pontiac
Kingman may convert rail depot into museum
The under-renovation railroad depot in Kingman, Ariz., may be converted into a local railroad museum, according to the Kingman Daily Miner today. The Kingman City Council today will consider authorizing the city to enter into a formal agreement with the Mohave County Historical Society to fund the development and operation of a railroad museum at … Continue reading Kingman may convert rail depot into museum
Holbrook courthouse will receive historical assessment
The courthouse in downtown Holbrook, Ariz., will undergo a historical assessment so it can receive proper cosmetic and structural repairs, according to a story in the Tribune-News. Navajo County is partnering with the city and the National Scenic Byways program to spend a total of $10,000 for the assessment. Navajo County’s historic courthouse qualifies for … Continue reading Holbrook courthouse will receive historical assessment
Book review: “Greetings from Route 66”
The new book "Greetings from Route 66" (Voyageur Press, hardcover, 240 pages, $30) at first glance looks as though it might be a terrific addition to a roadie's library. It was written by several authors who are Route 66 enthusiasts, and it's packed with eye-pleasing pages. However, I give it only a mixed review, at … Continue reading Book review: “Greetings from Route 66”
Tulsa hotel added to National Register
The Casa Loma Hotel in Tulsa, which is being renovated, was listed to the National Register of Historic Places effective Sept. 3, according to an e-mail Friday from the National Park Service. The building at 2600 block of East 11th Street (aka Route 66) was built in 1927 as the Max Campbell Building. It was … Continue reading Tulsa hotel added to National Register
Journal of a 1927 road trip
In 1927, Axel and Beda Sterner and two relatives drove from New York City to Los Angeles by car, with a good portion of their journey along U.S. 66, which was less than one year old. Sterner wrote a journal about his experiences each night along the trek. These musings might have been forgotten if it … Continue reading Journal of a 1927 road trip