In the wake of Missouri's Route 66 being declared a scenic byway, columnist Hank Billings of the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reflects on the scenery that once could be seen on the Mother Road.
Category: History
Acoma Sky City Center to open this month
When Route 66 travelers cruise through western New Mexico, one of the common stops just off the road is the amazing and beautiful Sky City of Acoma Pueblo. Today, the Gallup Independent reports that the news $10.4 million Sky City Cultural Center, which houses the Haaku Museum, is set to open May 27. The opening … Continue reading Acoma Sky City Center to open this month
Scenic Byway for Missouri’s Route 66 dedicated
The Springfield News-Leader has coverage of Friday's dedication ceremony in Springfield, Mo., for Missouri's Route 66 being designated a National Scenic Byway. Several prominent Route 66 aficionados and historians were interviewed. Also take note of the side story in the upper right about the historic Best Western Rail Haven motel offering special souvenirs to mark … Continue reading Scenic Byway for Missouri’s Route 66 dedicated
New store sells Hollywood memorabilia
LeRoy Richardson has been gathering Hollywood memorabilia for decades. Now his extensive collection is going up for sale at the recently opened Vintage Hollywood, located on old Route 66 in Hollywood. Here's an excerpt from the Los Angeles Independent report: “I just have gobs and gobs of stuff,” said Richardson, 55, sitting in the well-appointed … Continue reading New store sells Hollywood memorabilia
Former Boots Motel owner returns
The Carthage Press has an interesting story about Bob Boots, who now lives in Tulsa, returning to his former Route 66 motel and hometown of Carthage, Mo., for the first time in years. Boots returned for the purpose of telling his memories for a Route 66 oral history project. Boots' father, Arthur Boots, built the … Continue reading Former Boots Motel owner returns
Mother Road maintains its allure
A feature in the Edmond (Okla.) Sun mentions the town trying to play up its Route 66 heritage during the state's centennial next year. But most of the story is about how the Mother Road has kept its allure all these years. It includes a lot of comments from Oklahoma Route 66 researcher and author … Continue reading Mother Road maintains its allure
Parking fees coming to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects Madison, Ill., and north St. Louis, Ill., is part of an old alignment of Route 66. It's now used as part of a Trailnet walking and bicycling trail that connects the St. Louis Riverfront Trail and the MCT Confluence Trail. On Monday, Trailnet will begin fees of … Continue reading Parking fees coming to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
ABQ Route 66 story picked up by news service
It took more than two months, but Scripps Howard News Service picked up the excellent retrospective and forward-looking article about Route 66 by Albuquerque Journal reporter Erik Siemers. If you're a relatively new reader to this site, it's recommended reading.
More food for thought
I hadn't planned on taking a more serious look at Route 66, but that's the way the stories are arriving today. This one's an excerpt from CBS' "The Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson's book, "Between the Bridge and the River," via NPR: White Americans have a very unusual sense of history. They make it … Continue reading More food for thought
Old steam locomotive will make two stops on Route 66
Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog has informed me that an old Union Pacific steam locomotive is going to make a couple stops in Route 66 towns during its tour this spring. On May 7, locomotive #844 will be in Tucumcari, N.M., at the old train depot at 100 Railroad Ave. from 9 to 9:30 … Continue reading Old steam locomotive will make two stops on Route 66