The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, in a preview to tonight's and Sunday's airing of a locally produced PBS program about Route 66 in Missouri, tells about the Mother Road's important history in Springfield. There's a lot of good information there.
Category: History
Southwest Missouri PBS stations to show Route 66 program
KOZK-TV of Springfield, Mo., and KOZJ-TV of Joplin, Mo., part of Ozark Public Television, will broadcast the locally produced "Route 66: Missouri's Mother Road" at 7 p.m. Thursday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Here's a description of the program: Missouri enjoys a rich and special place in Route 66 history, folklore and culture. Route 66: Missouri’s … Continue reading Southwest Missouri PBS stations to show Route 66 program
An Okie’s story
Betty Henshaw and her family once lived in Hominy, Okla., where they picked cotton. In 1947, the family pulled up stakes and drove west on Route 66 to find a better living in California -- as many other Okies did. Henshaw recalled her memories in a manuscript, which was quickly picked up by Texas Tech … Continue reading An Okie’s story
Rendezvous revs up
The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., starts tomorrow. Here's a preview story from the San Bernardino Sun. The Sun also has an excellent story about California's Route 66, complete with a photo-audio slideshow.
Ike’s Chili House has reopened
Redforkhippie reported to me that while driving Tuesday night on Admiral Place, aka Route 66, in Tulsa, she noticed that the celebrated Ike's Chili House has reopened after a hiatus of several months. She said there was a prominent "Open" sign, and cars were parked all over the place in front of the restaurant, located … Continue reading Ike’s Chili House has reopened
Route 66 Corridor grants announced
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, run by the Nationa Park Service, has announced its annual recipients of cost-share grants totaling $117,102. The news release does a good job detailing the recipients and for what purpose, so I'm quoting it verbatim and adding links where applicable: 1) Atlanta, Illinois – Palms Grill Café. Grant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor grants announced
A closer look at “Ultragate”
The Riverfront Times in St. Louis has a more in-depth look at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which once carried Route 66, and artist James Woodfill's sprucing-up of the bridge, which he has called "Ultragate."
Mount Olive and Mother Jones
The Associated Content site has listed a "history detour" about Mount Olive, Ill., and its most famous resident, union activist Mother Jones. She is buried just off old Route 66 in the Union Miners Cemetery, and a monument also was erected there in her honor. The article also mentions the restored Soulsby Station on 66.
Why did George Maharis leave “Route 66”? — Part 2
Karen Funk Blocher has written on her Outpost Mavarin blog the second and final installment about why George Maharis left the "Route 66" show at the height of its popularity in 1963. In short, she reports that Maharis asked for a scaled-back shooting schedule that season because he was recovering from two bouts of hepatitis. … Continue reading Why did George Maharis leave “Route 66”? — Part 2
A close encounter with Bonnie & Clyde
Columnist Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader passed on the tale of a reader's chance meeting with outlaws Bonnie & Clyde on Route 66. It's a good story.