The Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways, located off old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., marked its 50th year with a Mass and rededication of the monument on Sunday. Illinois Route 66er was there and had this to report in an e-mail: We had probably in the area of 200 people, maybe a few … Continue reading Our Lady of the Highways marks 50th year
Category: History
A postcard of Elkhart
Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register has been writing a series for the newspaper called Illinois Postcards, which delve historical and social facets of the town. Today, the latest edition is about the Route 66 town of Elkhart. One of the most notable things about Elkhart is a hill that stands 777 feet … Continue reading A postcard of Elkhart
Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
The old bridge that carried U.S. 66 over the Meramec River at the former town of Times Beach, Mo., was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an e-mail Friday from the National Park Service. The bridge now serves to carry travelers into Route 66 State Park. According to the excellent … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
The Journal Record published an excellent story about the historic Warehouse Market building, an art deco gem, on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. Built in 1929, the building was designed by B. Gaylord Nofstger with lots of terra cotta. Its entryway borrowed heavily from the famous patterns used with Chicago’s Commercial Building, mixing … Continue reading Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
New mural in Cuba
Cuba, Mo., which now is being called Mural City for good reason, sports a new mural at My Place Tires, at 1203 W. Washington St. (aka Route 66). According to the Cuba Free Press, the mural was painted by Missouri artist Ray Harvey. “The location on Route 66 and the attention the art will receive … Continue reading New mural in Cuba
A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Refurbishing old vehicles
The Tulsa World had a couple of articles last week about old vehicles being restored to as good as new in Oklahoma. The first was about the Maggie M, an electric trolley that served the Route 66 town of Sapulpa from 1919 to 1933. After it was taken out of service, the trolley sat decaying … Continue reading Refurbishing old vehicles
Dedication of Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick
I went Friday afternoon to the official dedication of the Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick, which is an exact-size replica of an important early derrick that stood during the oil-boom days of southwest Tulsa. The 154-foot-tall derrick has been finished for several months. It's part of a Route 66 Station park that's still under development. … Continue reading Dedication of Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick
San Fidel property named to National Register
The former Acoma Curio Shop on Route 66 in the tiny Route 66 settlement of San Fidel, N.M., was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Oct. 7, according to an e-mail Thursday from the National Park Service. The shop is now home for Mary Trask's Gallery66.us, an art gallery that sells and … Continue reading San Fidel property named to National Register
Graveyard tours included in Cuba festival
Cuba Fest, an annual festival thrown by Viva Cuba in the Route 66 town of Cuba, Mo., is holding a chili cook-off, a trolley tour of the town's many murals, and a celebratory gathering in front of Recklein Auditorium, according to an article in the Cuba Free Press. However, it's this activity during the festival … Continue reading Graveyard tours included in Cuba festival