David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, knows about Route 66 and other historic roads in Chicago probably more than anyone. He has written a few books about the subject, and he also gives guided tours from time to time. Clark now has started a blog. Its mission statement is thus: To wage noble campaigns … Continue reading Windy City Road Warrior starts a blog
Category: History
Round and round
Another story today about the Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla. This one's by Ted Landphair of the Voice of America. According to his report, there are 1,000 round barns left in America. They were built up until the 1920s. Given the advantages of such a structure, it makes you wonder why farmers quit building them: … Continue reading Round and round
Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
Many Route 66 aficionados are, to put it gently, a little long in the tooth. So many of them fret about whether there will be enough young people interested in the Mother Road to keep it viable in the future. That's why many roadies rejoiced at the 2006 release of Disney-Pixar's animated movie, "Cars," which … Continue reading Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
Head for the Hollandburger
The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press says Emma Jean's Holland Burger restaurant on Route 66 tends to be taken for granted. But it's not by European tourists and roadies who are traveling the Main Street of America. Shawna Gentry and husband, Brian, are quick to produce the guestbook she keeps. There are signatures and comments in … Continue reading Head for the Hollandburger
Book review: “The Big Book of Car Culture”
Disclosure: I'm not a big car nut. Sure, I learned during my years on the farm to change the oil, keep an eye on the gauges and how to use starter fluid into cold diesel engines. But if someone talked about a Gremlin, I'd relate to the little monsters in the Steven Spielberg film, not … Continue reading Book review: “The Big Book of Car Culture”
Texaco memorabilia on display in Oklahoma
Jim Conard has donated his extensive collection of Texaco memorabilia to the Dobson Museum and Library of Miami, Okla., a block off Route 66. According to the Chevron Retirees Association's newsletter, Conard, who now lives near Atlanta, had quite a personal history with Route 66 in northwestern Oklahoma: The display is in that locale because … Continue reading Texaco memorabilia on display in Oklahoma
Mystery of the marker
Holy cow. I didn't even know the Los Angeles area even had one of these. The folks at Curbed LA wondered what this stone marker (photo can be seen on link) was in Pasadena. A city worker provided the answer: "You posted a while back about a 3' tall concrete marker on PCC property in … Continue reading Mystery of the marker
Michael Wallis news
I met up with author Michael Wallis and a few other longtime roadies for lunch Friday at Ollie's Station in Tulsa. Wallis had a few interesting announcements to make: His book "Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride" has been optioned for a film. It will star Haley Joel Osment, who is famed for his child … Continue reading Michael Wallis news
For sale: Microsoft’s old digs
Microsoft, as just about anyone who owns a computer knows, is one of the biggest companies in the world. Did you know it has a connection to Route 66, albeit peripheral? Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in an office building barely a block off Route 66 in Albuquerque, at 6320 Linn … Continue reading For sale: Microsoft’s old digs
Putting back the neon
Dwayne of New Zealand posted a bunch of videos weeks ago from his summer Route 66 trip, but I missed this one. Here, he talks to Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., as he's about to install new neon lighting in July. The previous neon was destroyed by a severe … Continue reading Putting back the neon