Tommy Speaker, likely the oldest surviving businessman from the peak Route 66 era of Lebanon, Missouri, who as a child encountered outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd, died last Tuesday. He was 98. Speaker ran the now-vacant Speaker's Mobil station, an operation that had been owned by his family since Route 66 was built in the 1920s. … Continue reading Former Lebanon gas station owner who recalls briefly meeting Pretty Boy Floyd dies at 98
Category: History
Production begins today on “Route 66: The Main Street of America” documentary
John Paget, director of the award-winning "Route 66: An American Odyssey" film 30 years ago, starts production today in Oklahoma on a new documentary, "Route 66: The Main Street of America." The film will be released during Route 66's centennial in 2026. The documentary recently won designation as an Official U.S. Route 66 Centennial Project. … Continue reading Production begins today on “Route 66: The Main Street of America” documentary
Rudy Gonzales, last of the old-time sign painters, dies at 90
Rudy Gonzales, who handpainted signs large and small for more than a half-century along Route 66 in New Mexico, died on April 21. He was 90. A rosary and memorial Mass for Gonzales will be held Friday at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Tucumcari, according to his obituary. Route 66 News published a feature about … Continue reading Rudy Gonzales, last of the old-time sign painters, dies at 90
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop in Springfield to hold 100th-anniversary celebration on July 27
The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop, located west of Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will mark reputedly its 100th year on July 27 with classic cars and special pricing during the lunchtime hour. The celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. The Springfield tourism bureau promised "more details to come" on the event. … Continue reading Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop in Springfield to hold 100th-anniversary celebration on July 27
New documentary released on HBO about the Oklahoma City bombing
HBO has released on its Max streaming platform a new documentary about the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. "An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th" was released Tuesday. Here is the trailer: https://youtu.be/lZ1DlykhLAo?si=_u5SFCwq_IOLk8p4 Katie Couric, executive producer of the film and … Continue reading New documentary released on HBO about the Oklahoma City bombing
Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
The Oklahoma Historical Society awarded 37 entities a total of $520,000 in grants this year, including several with Route 66 ties. We mentioned yesterday the Totum Pole Park near Foyil received a $20,000 grant to help restore its Fiddle House. Here are the rest of them that are relevant to Route 66: Friends of the … Continue reading Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
Totem Pole Park near Foyil lands new directors, $20,000 grant
The landmark Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma, recently received new directors, plus a $20,000 grant to restore its Fiddle House. The Claremore Daily Progress reports Wes and Jennifer Cantwell are the park's new overseers, replacing the retiring David and Patsy Anderson after 14 years. The Cantwells grew up just a few miles from the … Continue reading Totem Pole Park near Foyil lands new directors, $20,000 grant
Did another Blue Swallow Motel exist near Shamrock, Texas?
Many, many Route 66 enthusiasts know about the landmark Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Smithsonian Magazine once called the 1939 establishment "the last, best and friendliest of the old-time motels." But the Texas Old Route 66 Association recently went through the files of longtime Texas Route 66er Delbert Trew and found an intriguing … Continue reading Did another Blue Swallow Motel exist near Shamrock, Texas?
Former Pour Richard’s in Odell now is Hobart’s on Tremont restaurant
Longtime roadies may remember the Pour Richard's restaurant and bar in downtown Odell, Illinois, a hangout for tourists after they checked out the landmark Odell Station and the former pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in town. It's now the Hobart's on Tremont establishment, according to a story in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Because it's in a … Continue reading Former Pour Richard’s in Odell now is Hobart’s on Tremont restaurant
Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup
CBS News in Chicago recently did a story about Funks Grove Maple Sirup in Shirley, Illinois, and how repeatedly warmer winters are shortening the sap flow of the family farm's maple trees. The gist is that climate change definitely is affecting Funks Grove's annual harvest. https://youtu.be/N6OKuhKXwZA?si=mBzoSoN9uBL6hNwy Funks Grove tends to sell out of its maple … Continue reading Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup