This has been in the works for a while, but appears a Route 66 museum will be installed at the historic Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage, Mo., by sometime next year, according to the Carthage Press. Eric Kellstadt, senior transportation planner with the Joplin office of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said MoDOT auditors and … Continue reading Route 66 museum coming to Carthage courthouse
Category: History
Mohawk Lodge Indian Store
Although Mohawk Lodge Indian Store in Clinton, Okla., didn't start business on Route 66, its founding predates the historic road by several decades and even Oklahoma statehood. Located at 22702 Route 66 North just east of Clinton, Mohawk Lodge has been there since about 1940. But the American Indian craft store's origin dates to Colony, … Continue reading Mohawk Lodge Indian Store
“Route 66 Tour, Part 1”
A YouTube poster who calls himself/herself "Route 66 Tour" has posted the first segment of what appears to be well-produced documentary series about Route 66: I'm not 100 percent positive, but I think the segment comes from this five-DVD box set, titled "Route 66: The Marathon Tour."
Book review: “Greetings from the Lincoln Highway”
When best-selling author Michael Wallis and award-winning photographer Michael Williamson were doing field research for their book, "The Lincoln Highway," they used Brian Butko's 2005 volume, "Greetings from the Lincoln Highway" ($29.95, Stackpole Books, 288 pages), as one of their key references. Butko even embarked a bit of a mirror book tour when Wallis and … Continue reading Book review: “Greetings from the Lincoln Highway”
Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
The historic Will Rogers Hotel on Lynn Riggs Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Claremore, Okla., is celebrating its 10th year Friday since reopening as a home for businesses and long-term residents, reports the Claremore Progress. The hotel opened in 1930 and was there to take advantage of the area's natural mineral water springs, which was … Continue reading Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
History of the Green Spot
Mark Landis, writing for the San Bernardino County Sun, wrote an interesting historical overview of the Green Spot Motel, built in 1937 on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. The Green Spot, at 16937 C St., was the finest motel in town, offering the most modern comforts and services available for the traveling public. Twin arched … Continue reading History of the Green Spot
Spinning yarns about Oklahoma Joe’s
Johnny Mango at Duke City Fix shows a postcard of one of Albuquerque's first barbecue joints, Oklahoma Joe's, on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) near the University of New Mexico campus. Mango said Okie Joe's, later known as Okie's, was known for 10-cent beer nights, with the brew served in paper cups. It was a … Continue reading Spinning yarns about Oklahoma Joe’s
Coral Court film trailer
Someone has posted the trailer for the award-winning documentary "Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel," which tells the history of the greatly missed Coral Court Motel on Route 66 in the St. Louis suburb of Malborough, Mo. The film was directed by Bill Boll and Shellee Graham. I don't think the film is on … Continue reading Coral Court film trailer
Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Lately, I'd been getting e-mails from Illinois Route 66ers, telling me there was grave activity occurring at the historic Wishing Well Motel on Route 66 in the Chicago suburb of Countryside, Ill. One observer said the motel's electrical meters and water main had been removed. Others had reported that fencing had been erected around the … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Grand opening for Route 66 Visitors Center
I was pressed for time, but I managed to stick around for about an hour or so to shoot pictures the grand opening Saturday of the new Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center in Baxter Springs. The visitors center is located at 10th and Military (aka Route 66). It's housed in a 1930 gas station that … Continue reading Grand opening for Route 66 Visitors Center