The LAist has a story about the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, Calif., which once carried Route 66 on the way to Los Angeles. Here's a startling fact about the 1913 bridge that gives it its nickname: Six years after the construction the first suicide took place, and it is now estimated that more than … Continue reading Suicide Bridge
Category: History
New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
The Gourds, a folk-rock band out of Texas, has a song, "All the Way to Jericho," on its new album, "Haymaker!" that takes place on Route 66 in the Lone Star State. The Jericho in the song, according to a review in Pitchfork Media, refers to the notorious Jericho Gap of old Route 66 in … Continue reading New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
Arcadia museum hosts Route 66 exhibit
The Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum in Arcadia, Calif., is hosting the "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" exhibit, reports the Pasadena Star-News. Curator Dana Dunn hopes it will bring back fond memories for older Arcadia residents, as well as educate a younger generation. [...] On display will be items like a Chas. … Continue reading Arcadia museum hosts Route 66 exhibit
A crash-landing near Route 66
The Hillsboro (Ill.) Journal-News has the remarkable story of two Air Force bombers that crash-landed in a field near Route 66 near Litchfield, Ill., on Feb. 15, 1945. The story was related by Terry Birkenkamp and Marge (Birkenkamp) Allen, who saw it all as children at the time. The bombers were supposed to be delivered … Continue reading A crash-landing near Route 66
Route 66 kiosk coming to Tucumcari
KFDA-TV in Amarillo, Texas, is reporting that the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., will install a Route 66 interpretive exhibit at the Tucumcari Convention Center. The kiosk will having photos and information about the Mother Road's history in Tucumcari. Also, a DVD about Route 66 will be available for visitors. The kiosk will be … Continue reading Route 66 kiosk coming to Tucumcari
Blue plate specials
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra was asked to create a blue plate special. The term "blue plate special" came from the low-cost meals served by Fred Harvey Restaurants starting in the 1890s. But no, Hoekstra wasn't asked to fix dinner in the kitchen. He was one of nearly 50 Chicago residents who … Continue reading Blue plate specials
Fire destroys Bristow Motor Co. building
The historic Bristow Motor Co. building on Route 66 in Bristow, Okla., was destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon, reported the Daily Oklahoman. The building, built in 1923 at 500 N. Main St., was a Bolin Ford dealership. The Tulsa World reports that one firefighter was injured, but not seriously. The fire began in a car … Continue reading Fire destroys Bristow Motor Co. building
Sidewalk highway
Here's a little video I spliced together of the 9-foot-wide "Sidewalk Highway" of Route 66 near Afton, Okla. There's a similar such segment near Miami, Okla. The narrow highway was built in 1922, a few years before it was designated as U.S. 66. Reputedly, there was not enough money to build a full-sized highway, so … Continue reading Sidewalk highway
Tulsa art deco film airs tonight
If you live in or are traveling northeastern Oklahoma on Tuesday night, you may want to tune into KTUL-TV on Channel 8. That's when the station premieres Jack Frank's latest Tulsa historical film, "Tulsa Deco." Frank has produced two other acclaimed films about Tulsa's past, with much of the material coming from home movies or … Continue reading Tulsa art deco film airs tonight
Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
After losing his job and marriage, William Least Heat-Moon and his Ford Econoline van (dubbed Ghost Dancing) embarked on a 13,000-mile journey around America. He avoided the interstates and drove two-lane highways and country roads. He eschewed chain restaurants for mom-and-pop eateries. And he met a lot of interesting people. "Blue Highways: A Journey into … Continue reading Book review: “Roads to Quoz”