Fill your gas tank and bring your appetite. T. Lindsay Baker's new book, "Eating Up Route 66" (Amazon link), takes readers on a culinary and historic adventure down the Mother Road. It's safe to say the 448-page volume -- subtitled "Foodways on America's Mother Road" -- instantly is a definitive work about Route 66 restaurants. … Continue reading Book review: “Eating Up Route 66”
Category: History
Munger Moss Motel owner Ramona Lehman receives Lebanon Community Achievement Award
Ramona Lehman, owner of the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, for more than 50 years, last week received the Lebanon Community Achievement Award. Lehman earned the honor, which essentially exists as a lifetime achievement award in the city, during the 21st annual Wall of Honor Banquet in Lebanon's Cowan Civic Center. A plaque honoring … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel owner Ramona Lehman receives Lebanon Community Achievement Award
The man behind the Big Cross in Groom, Texas
The nearly 200-foot-tall cross that stands between Route 66 and Interstate 40 in Groom, Texas, is the vision of one man. According to a recent article by the Boston Globe, that man is Steve Thomas, who recently retired and sold the oil and gas business he operated for about 35 years. He now spends most … Continue reading The man behind the Big Cross in Groom, Texas
“Almost Ghosts” documentary now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video
"Almost Ghosts," the 2019 documentary that focuses on three prominent individuals on Route 66, recently became available for streaming or download from Amazon Prime Video. At last check, the film is available for as low as 99 cents here (Amazon link). Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/4kGovH88F7o Ana Ramón Rubio's film has this summary … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, one of several old-school Lebanese steakhouses that dotted the region, will close permanently on Dec. 31 after its longtime owner died earlier this year. The New Sapulpa Road (aka Route 66) restaurant on Sapulpa's north side made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday. It attributed the … Continue reading Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants
The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants
Nearly century-old Krtek Building in Carthage destroyed by fire
A building that stood along Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, for nearly a century was destroyed by fire over the weekend. The Krtek Building, built in 1927 at Grant Street and Central Avenue (aka Route 66), also was known Henson Metal Building Supply and Stanley Lumber Co. Google Street View captured an image of the … Continue reading Nearly century-old Krtek Building in Carthage destroyed by fire
Old Azusa Schoolhouse moved to a park off Route 66
Last week, the Old Azusa Schoolhouse was moved from its old spot in Asuza, California, to a new location in a park just off Route 66 in the city. The historic building was jacked up, placed on a flatbed truck trailer and moved last week to Veterans Freedom Park (map here) in an area the … Continue reading Old Azusa Schoolhouse moved to a park off Route 66
Neon lighting glows again at historic Boots Court motel in Carthage
The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, on Wednesday posted a photo of its architectural neon lighting glowing again. It was another sign that renovations on the Route 66 landmark were progressing. On a comment thread with the Facebook post, I asked the motel how it was coming on getting the rest of its … Continue reading Neon lighting glows again at historic Boots Court motel in Carthage
How an incident at Oklahoma Joe’s led to an early civil-rights movement in Albuquerque
A recently posted massive photo archive on the Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 page on Facebook revealed an episode at an Albuquerque restaurant that led to the city imposing an anti-discrimination ordinance years before the U.S. civil-rights movement began in the mid-1950s. One post contained an old postcard of Oklahoma Joe's Genuine Pit Bar-B-Que … Continue reading How an incident at Oklahoma Joe’s led to an early civil-rights movement in Albuquerque