There are many libraries across the country that are 100 years old or older. But the one in Atlanta, Ill., is distinct. First, it sports an unusual octagon shape. Second, it not only serves as a library, but also as the town's historical museum, which includes Route 66. The Atlanta library turns 100 in March. … Continue reading Atlanta library to mark 100th year
Category: History
A special offer to Route 66 News readers
Readers of Route 66 News may remember a story about Vintage Roadside, an Oregon company that specializes in T-shirts featuring cool graphics of defunct roadside businesses from the 1930s to the '60s. Vintage Roadside recently started offering photographs, too. One of their apparel offerings featured a Route 66 business -- the B&B Rancho in Rialto, … Continue reading A special offer to Route 66 News readers
Bono’s restaurant named to National Register
Bono's Restaurant and Deli at 15395 Foothill Blvd., aka Route 66, in Fontana, Calif., was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, effective Jan. 10. The National Park Service made the announcement in an e-mail Friday evening. Bono's also was the longtime home to the Bono's Historic Orange stand, an orange-shaped building that was … Continue reading Bono’s restaurant named to National Register
Route 66 photo exhibit in Colorado
If you live in Colorado, you can get a taste of the Mother Road without leaving the state. Shellee Graham's exhibit, "Return to Route 66: Photographs from the Mother Road," will be at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center in Longmont from Saturday through March 9. The Longmont Daily Times-Call published a good article about … Continue reading Route 66 photo exhibit in Colorado
A look at the ol’ Mother Road
An outfit called Trumbly Productions posted this short documentary about Route 66 in Oklahoma, especially in the western half of the state. You also get a look inside the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City.
Oral history
Vic Plunk has lived near the Rock Island railroad line and Route 66 at Grey's Corner, Texas, just west of Amarillo, for many years. Grey's Corner isn't listed on maps, but Vic's Happy Tracks Horse Motel is near Exit 60 of Interstate 40. In addition to telling his steam-engine memories, he points out the old, … Continue reading Oral history
San Bernardino’s past detailed in book
Steven Shaw has turned his collection of 700 vintage postcards into a book about the history of San Bernardino, Calif. About 225 of the postcards were used in the Arcadia Publishing book titled "San Bernardino," which comes out Monday, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. Shaw told the Inland Press-Enterprise something interesting about preservation: "Everybody … Continue reading San Bernardino’s past detailed in book
Heritage tourism
The New York Times took down its firewall several weeks ago that kept online readers from seeing much of its content. That means that you now can read "The Virtues of Avoiding Interstates," an August 2007 article about tourists who are avoiding the superslab and are seeking out the historic two-lane roads of America. The … Continue reading Heritage tourism
They oughta be in pictures
The folks at Vintage Roadside, the company that puts graphic art from defunct highway businesses on T-shirts, has expanded into selling photographs. According to a news release: We now have available the first three prints from the Vintage Roadside negative collection. We've chosen to start the series with a circa. 1940 image of the Las … Continue reading They oughta be in pictures
Andy Payne ran here
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier published a fascinating article about the Lincoln library's research into the 1928 Bunion Derby, the transcontinental footrace that went the length of Route 66. Oklahoma native Andy Payne, a previously unheralded runner, bested the talented field and took home a $25,000 prize. The library used Geoff Williams' excellent book, "C.C. Pyle's … Continue reading Andy Payne ran here