The contents of the closed Vernelle's Motel near Arlington, Missouri, will be auctioned Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24. The sale by Grovers Auction Service will include plenty of antiques, including a wringer washer, a Pepsi vending machine, metal chairs, and -- get this -- an honest-to-goodness telephone booth. The auction also will include the contents of … Continue reading Contents of Vernelle’s Motel near Arlington to be auctioned on Saturday
Category: History
Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Documentary photographer Jeff Sonnabend of Arkansas recently completed a book, "The Route 66 Primer: An Uncropped View of the Mother Road," and he's launched an online fundraising campaign to help publish it. Sonnabend shot his photos in 2020, and the book aims to be a sort of time capsule of Route 66 near the current … Continue reading Photographer uses Kickstarter campaign to help publish new Route 66 book
Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and its Beautification Committee are in the early stages of making historic McLain Rogers Park "more accessible and user friendly," according to a newspaper's report. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) talked to city manager Robert Johnston about the possible changes: “There is an obvious lack of handicap and ADA … Continue reading Historic McLain Rogers Park in Clinton to undergo improvements
Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will mark its 50th anniversary on the afternoon of Sept. 24. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the city-owned Route 66 landmark will host fun, live music, burgers, vendors and games from 3 to 7 p.m. that day. Michael Wallis, author of the seminal bestselling book "Route … Continue reading Blue Whale in Catoosa plans to celebrate 50th anniversary later this month
Blueberry Hill in St. Louis marks its 50th anniversary today
The landmark Blueberry Hill restaurant, bar and music venue in suburban St. Louis is marking its 50th year in business today. Blueberry Hill isn't on Route 66, but it's such a touchstone, quite a few Route 66 travelers make a side trip to it. It's only a mile from the admittedly more obscure Forest Park … Continue reading Blueberry Hill in St. Louis marks its 50th anniversary today
Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri
Voters on the Yelp! review app recently named Carl's Drive-In restaurant in Brentwood, Missouri, as serving the best cheeseburger in the state. Carl's, which has stood along the original Manchester Road alignment of Route 66 for more than 60 years, was the only such restaurant on that historic highway to be bestowed the honor this … Continue reading Yelp voters name Carl’s Drive-In as having the best cheeseburger in Missouri
Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award
Ramona Lehman, the longtime co-owner of the Route 66 landmark Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will receive a Community Achievement Award from that city's chamber of commerce in November. According to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, Lehman will be honored on Nov. 3 at the chamber's annual Wall of Honor Banquet. She was … Continue reading Longtime owner of Munger Moss Motel to receive Lebanon Community Achievement Award
NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program
Northern Arizona University last week received a federal grant of $189,860 for its "Racialized Spaces on Route 66" for educators. According to a National Endowment for the Humanities news release, the grant will be used for "a combined virtual and residential program for 72 K–12 educators on the significance of race, place, and movement to … Continue reading NAU receives nearly $190,000 grant for “Racialized Spaces on Route 66” program
Oklahoma Route 66 Association replacing “Roadside Attraction” signs in state
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association a few days ago announced it is replacing about a dozen "Roadside Attraction" signs erected by Hampton Inn at Route 66 sites across the state nearly 20 years ago. The association stated in a news release it was identifying the location, the sign's status and whether descriptive text needs to … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association replacing “Roadside Attraction” signs in state
J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
If you've never received a tour inside the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, a recent article by an area newspaper will give you the next best thing. The Bloomington Pantagraph posted a bunch of photographs and a video of the historic landmark just off Route 66 as part of its "Off Limits" … Continue reading J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed