Today, 25 years ago, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials officially decertified U.S. 66 as a federal highway. In essence, U.S. 66 ceased to exist. Although few would have thought so at the time, decertification became a good thing for the Mother Road in the long run. It's a counterintuitive thought, but … Continue reading The end … and the beginning
Category: History
The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
It's really worth reading this op-ed piece by Beverly Kelley for the Ventura (Calif.) County Star. A sample: Willingness to tackle a job despite impossible odds is the operational definition of the American “can-do” spirit. It’s the same confident courage that a bride donning something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue exhibits, even … Continue reading The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
Fire guts bathhouse in historic Tucumcari park
A fire Saturday night all but destroyed the historic main building at Tucumcari Metropolitan Park, aka 5 Mile Park, along old Route 66 west of Tucumcari, N.M. Richard Talley at the Motel Safari reported in an e-mail: The walls seem to still be standing, but with no roof now, after a few rains, everything left … Continue reading Fire guts bathhouse in historic Tucumcari park
Presentation dates set for California Route 66 study
The California Preservation Foundation, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and hired consultants Mead & Hunt have set a series of dates this month along Route 66 for presentations on a forthcoming comprehensive historical study of Route 66 in California. According to a news release from the foundation: “We are encouraging all Route 66 enthusiasts, … Continue reading Presentation dates set for California Route 66 study
And this would be bad … how?
Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today: Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans' plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks … Continue reading And this would be bad … how?
Uranium Cafe reopens in Grants
The landmark Uranium Cafe along Route 66 in Grants, N.M., has reopened as Nana's Cafe, according to an article in the Cibola County Beacon. According to the article, the building was constructed in the 1950s and named after the uranium mining industry that dominated the area's economy for decades. The place closed, then briefly reopened … Continue reading Uranium Cafe reopens in Grants
County to dedicate new Route 66 museum
Jasper County will dedicate its new Route 66 museum inside the Jasper County Courthouse lobby in Carthage, Mo., at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the Carthage Press: The Route 66 display sits in the south lobby of the courthouse opposite the historic elevator. It’s modeled on the old Boots’ Drive In restaurant and features artifacts … Continue reading County to dedicate new Route 66 museum
The history of the Sycamore Inn
The Sycamore Inn restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., predates Route 66. But it doesn't predate the Mother Road by a few years, but by more than 150, according to this well-researched article from The Press-Enterprise. The local Indians met at this spot where large sycamore, cottonwood and willow trees grew. In March 1774, Spanish explorer … Continue reading The history of the Sycamore Inn
Walking in the name of fallen police
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader tells about three men -- one of them an Evansville, Ind., cop -- walking in cities from Evansville to Santa Monica, Calif., as part of Relay for a Cause Route 66 "to honor the nearly 19,000 officers across the United States that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our safety." The … Continue reading Walking in the name of fallen police
Firm chosen for historical study of California’s Route 66
Mead & Hunt, an engineering and architecture firm, was chosen by the California Preservation Foundation to help prepare a comprehensive history of Route 66 in California in the next year, according to a news release today. Mead & Hunt, which has offices in Sacramento, was chosen from 16 firms. Here is a list of the … Continue reading Firm chosen for historical study of California’s Route 66