The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and the City of Bethany, Oklahoma, recently placed a roadside marker on Route 66 to commemorate the late songwriter and singer Tommy Collins. Collins probably is best known for writing "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin'), which was a big hit both for Faron Young and George Strait. Here's … Continue reading Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
Category: History
Weezy’s Route 66 Bar & Grill in Hamel put up for sale
The historic Weezy's Route 66 Bar & Grill in Hamel, Illinois, has been placed on the market for nearly $700,000. Andrew Milkovich of Milkovich Premier Realty is listing the property, which sits at 108 S. Old Route 66. Here is the description of the business: Take a look at this wonderful opportunity to own a … Continue reading Weezy’s Route 66 Bar & Grill in Hamel put up for sale
Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center, housed in a former Route 66 restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, will throw a long-awaited grand opening celebration on Aug. 26. The museum, visitors center and children's museum at 1047 E. Osage St. (aka Route 66) will hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. that day. Hours that … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
Route 66 town of Brooklyn, Illinois, added to Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Places list
The oft-overlooked but historically rich town of Brooklyn, Illinois, recently was added to Landmarks Illinois' annual Most Endangered Places list. For the uninitiated, Brooklyn (aka Lovejoy) sits on Illinois Highway 3 between East St. Louis and Madison in the metro-east area of St. Louis. Illinois 3 was an alignment of Route 66 from 1929 to … Continue reading Route 66 town of Brooklyn, Illinois, added to Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Places list
Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
Fred & Red's Chili in Joplin, Missouri, will mark its 100th year in business with a vintage car show, giveaways and other events on Sept. 23. The number of restaurants on Route 66 that have hit the 100-year mark likely can be counted on one hand. Ike's Chili in Tulsa comes to mind, as do … Continue reading Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County each approved resolutions to improve an original stretch of Route 66 running south of the city before the highway's centennial in 2026. The Albuquerque Journal reported the efforts will involve Sunset Road and Isleta Boulevard, from Central Avenue to the Pueblo of Isleta. The two roads started as … Continue reading Albuquerque, county to move to revitalize an original stretch of Route 66
Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Whisler's Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage, Missouri, this year has entered into the rarified air of marking its 70th anniversary. The eatery at 300 N. Garrison Ave. sits on an alignment of Route 66 on the north side of town, before it was decommissioned in that area in 1972. Joplin Globe food columnist Cheryle Finley recently … Continue reading Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Almost 80 years after he died, the remains of a World War II soldier will be interred this weekend at the historic Union Miners Cemetery just off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports Army Sgt. John W. Radanovich, 23, of nearby White City, Illinois, was slain by German forces in … Continue reading Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive
Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Granny Shaffer's Family Restaurant, which serves a popular dish from another historic restaurant in southwest Missouri, recently marked its 50th year in business in Joplin. The restaurant sits at 2728 N. Range Line Road, which is bypass U.S. 66 alignment from 1956 to 1972. According to the Joplin Globe: Pies, one of its top-selling items, … Continue reading Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Ramona Lehman, longtime owner of the Munger Moss Motel, dies at 85
Ramona Lehman, the owner of the historic Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, for more than a half-century, died Wednesday morning. She was 85. Tributes to Lehman on social media began pouring in shortly after her death was announced: Lehman had been in frail health after the death of her husband Bob in 2019. Early … Continue reading Ramona Lehman, longtime owner of the Munger Moss Motel, dies at 85