City officials in Joplin, Missouri, gave initial approval to PGAV Destinations of St. Louis to examine the Joplin History and Mineral Museum and find ways to make it more attractive to potential visitors. I wouldn't necessarily say the Joplin Globe newspaper buried the lede, but the very last paragraph of its story stuck out: Because … Continue reading City officials consider plan to draw more visitors to Joplin History and Mineral Museum
Category: History
Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
The Heartland of America Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma, recently opened an exhibit about the state's civil defense preparations amid the U.S.-Soviet Union Cold War. According to KCEO radio, Southwest Oklahoma State University history professor and museum board member Landry Brewer acquired those items for the “Preparing to Survive Nuclear Attack: Western Oklahoma Cold War Civil … Continue reading Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
West of Springfield, Missouri, down a rural section of Route 66, Yeakley Chapel boasts a congregation that predates the Mother Road by 60 years and a chapel itself that predates the highway by four decades. KSMU radio, a PBS station in the area, posted a story about the Methodist congregation there, which dates to the … Continue reading Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
Wayside Inn near Hazelgreen was a bar but never was a motel
The long-closed Wayside Inn bar near Hazelgreen, Missouri, reputedly once was said to be a motel, but recently uncovered evidence has refuted that claim. It goes to show that even as Route 66 approaches its centennial, new or obscure information can be unearthed about the highway and its businesses. Gary Sosniecki, a longtime journalist, posted … Continue reading Wayside Inn near Hazelgreen was a bar but never was a motel
Tail O’ the Pup hot dog stand reopens along Route 66 in West Hollywood
The iconic Tail O' of the Pup hot dog stand that was in storage for 17 years recently reopened -- along Route 66, appropriately -- in West Hollywood, California. The hot dog-shaped stand at 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. (aka Route 66) was purchased late last year by the 1933 Group, which also holds the Formosa … Continue reading Tail O’ the Pup hot dog stand reopens along Route 66 in West Hollywood
Landmark Springfield hotel may still have life; zoning panel to hear a new variance request
The sale of the troubled 30-story Wyndham City Centre in downtown Springfield, Illinois, may still have life after the zoning commission found out this week it is scheduled to hear a new variance request for the property next month. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported planning and zoning will hear the request on Sept. 21, with … Continue reading Landmark Springfield hotel may still have life; zoning panel to hear a new variance request
Springfield history museum launches exhibit about Route 66 restaurants
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, just a few days ago launched an exhibit called "Order Up: The Restaurants of Route 66." The exhibit was made public shortly before this weekend's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield. According to the Springfield News-Leader, it features a variety of eateries -- past … Continue reading Springfield history museum launches exhibit about Route 66 restaurants
Article reveals more details on Dennis Hopper’s iconic “Double Standard” photo
A recent story in the New Yorker provided a lot more detail about "Double Standard," a now-iconic photograph from inside a car of a Los Angeles gas station at a Route 66 intersection by actor Dennis Hopper during the early 1960s. Here's an Instagram image of the photo on display in London: View this post … Continue reading Article reveals more details on Dennis Hopper’s iconic “Double Standard” photo
Jerry Ueckert, champion of Route 66 in New Mexico, dies at age 71
Jerry Ueckert, a strong advocate for Route 66, especially in New Mexico, died in Edgewood earlier this month. He was 71. In a lengthy obituary in the Edgewood Independent newspaper, it reported he co-founded the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce with Bob Audette, Keith Matson and Bill Gilmore. He also was managing editor of New … Continue reading Jerry Ueckert, champion of Route 66 in New Mexico, dies at age 71
Rescue Celebration held at Painted Desert Trading Post site
About 60 people attended Saturday what was termed a Rescue Celebration for the once-moribund Painted Desert Trading Post building on a remote stretch of Route 66 in eastern Arizona. The Route 66 Co-op four years ago bought the long-abandoned property, which was in imminent danger of collapse, and shored up the building so it would … Continue reading Rescue Celebration held at Painted Desert Trading Post site