Griff's Hamburgers, a small regional chain that dates back more than 60 years, announced it was shutting down its Albuquerque restaurant along Route 66 after the end of the business day on July 6. This is what the company posted on its website for the Albuquerque location at 8516 Central Ave. (aka Route 66): “After … Continue reading Griff’s Hamburgers abruptly closes down its Albuquerque Route 66 location
Category: History
Video explains how part of Newberry Springs became buried under sand dunes
The Sidetrack Adventures channel on YouTube explored the Route 66 town of Newberry Springs, California, and why a good portion of it became buried under the sands of the Mojave Desert. The main reason was a neighborhood was inexplicably built on the dry riverbed of the Mojave River. What can go wrong? https://youtu.be/Ve2S2QgRPgQ Newberry Springs … Continue reading Video explains how part of Newberry Springs became buried under sand dunes
Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle
The historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City soon will undergo extensive renovations and will be renamed Classen Circle as a nod to its historic, Route 66-aligned history. NIck Preftakes and partner Caleb Hill bought the building for $1.5 million last year. The Donnay, originally built in 1949, was added on to over the years in … Continue reading Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle
Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are working on a plan to revitalize the pre-1937 stretch of Route 66, also known as El Camino Real and as part of the Santa Fe Loop, before the historic highway's centennial in 2026. KRQE-TV reported: Albuquerque city councilor Klarissa Peña introduced a resolution expanding the city’s Route … Continue reading Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial
Threatt Filling Station gets some TLC from preservationists and volunteers
The long-closed Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, is receiving some much-needed work from preservationists and volunteers who want to see the Route 66 landmark standing for decades to come. According to KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City: Now, crews from the Oklahoma Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Guthrie Job Corps are working to preserve it. Students gain … Continue reading Threatt Filling Station gets some TLC from preservationists and volunteers
Diamond Inn Motel near Villa Ridge to be torn down in the coming weeks
The long-closed Diamond Inn Motel along old Route 66 in Villa Ridge, Missouri, will be razed in the next couple of months -- meeting the same fate as the nearby Gardenway Motel. The Washington Missourian had the story: Both properties, which are owned by members of the Eckelkamp family, are slated for redevelopment. “It’s hard … Continue reading Diamond Inn Motel near Villa Ridge to be torn down in the coming weeks
Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum
A recent report in a regional newspaper gave more details about the American Giants Museum that will open next month along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. The story of so-called Muffler Men, or fiberglass giants built primarily in the 1960s, will be housed in a former Texaco gas station at 100 SW Arch St. … Continue reading Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum
Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers
Burger expert George Motz and chef Alvin Cailan recently paid a visit to Sid's Diner along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, to sample a regional dish -- the fried onion burger. The quest was part of the Burger Bucket List by the First We Feast channel on YouTube. The video also features the Meers … Continue reading Burger Bucket List pays a visit to Sid’s Diner in El Reno to dine on fried onion burgers
Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund
Four restaurants with strong Route 66 ties each received $40,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The 25 restaurants receiving the 2023 round of grants were announced Friday by the National Trust. Here are the four along Route 66: Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona Mitla Café, … Continue reading Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund
Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October
The Texas Old Route 66 Association on Friday finished the re-roofing of the 1928 Phillips 66 station in McLean, Texas, and hopes to complete the final two stages of restoration by the association's motor tour in October. Gary Daggett, president of the association, said in a telephone interview the partial restoration of the station's pumps … Continue reading Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October