The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, recently approved the Clinton Economic Development Authority's purchase and future razing of the now-closed Trade Winds Inn motel, known for preserving a room where Elvis Presley stayed four times on cross-country trips. According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required): “The Tradewinds has closed and we are in the process … Continue reading City of Clinton approves authority’s purchase of Trade Winds Inn and its future demolition
Category: History
Ike’s Chili in Tulsa marking its 115th year in business this year
There's old Route 66 restaurants, then there's Ike's Chili in Tulsa, which is marking its 115th year in business in that city in 2023. Ike's opened in downtown Tulsa in 1908, one year after Oklahoma's statehood. That also is almost 20 years before U.S. 66 was federally commissioned. According to Tulsa People magazine: Owner Len Wade says … Continue reading Ike’s Chili in Tulsa marking its 115th year in business this year
Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month
Chris and Jody Carter, owners of their Shout & Sack convenience store along Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, since 1978, said they're going to retire at the end of January. Chris Carter, 72, told the Cherokee Phoenix they recently sold the property at 305 S. Wilson St. (aka Route 66) “We’ve seen a lot of … Continue reading Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month
Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month
The Pearl Brothers Hardware Store in downtown Joplin, Missouri, will close for good on Jan. 28 after 117 years. However, the new owner says he'll keep the Pearl Brothers name as part of the building and nominate it to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Joplin Globe. Harold Berger, who's been part … Continue reading Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month
Clinton City Council approves the purchase and eventual demolition of Trade Winds Inn
The Clinton, Oklahoma, City Council during a special meeting last week approved the city's Economic Development Authority's purchase of the historic Trade Winds Inn motel so it can be torn down and redeveloped for other uses, including parking for the nearby public school district. The Trade Winds, built at 2128 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route … Continue reading Clinton City Council approves the purchase and eventual demolition of Trade Winds Inn
New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man enthusiast and preservationist, recently completed a 30-minute documentary film about the late Glenn Good, a Texan who spent decades repairing or salvaging the fiberglass giants back in the days when they weren't popular. One of Good's projects still stands at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park on Amarillo's west side, right … Continue reading New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
Local investors, Chickasaw Nation to buy historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City
Two local investors and the Chickasaw Nation tribe are joining forces to buy the historic Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. Steve Lackmeyer of The Oklahoman newspaper reported Andy Burnett and Mark Beffort of Oklahoma City, who own eight other hotels across the country, will pay $32.5 million for the city's oldest hotel. Other investors … Continue reading Local investors, Chickasaw Nation to buy historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City
Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary
Mel's Drive-In restaurants, which includes a location at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, marked its 75th birthday on Dec. 14 at its eight locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions. On its birthday, the regional chain offered 75% off classic food items, including the Mel burger, country eggs, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary
The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”
Recently, Professor of Rock took a deep dive behind the genesis of "Take It Easy," the 1972 song co-written by Jackson Browne that became a key hit single for the Eagles and their first. The host touches on obscure facts behind the tune, then wraps it up in a poignant way with memories about his … Continue reading The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”
Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup
A native of Gallup, New Mexico, who became a war hero in Korea and earned a Congressional Medal of Honor was laid to rest a few days ago in his Route 66 hometown. Hiroshi Miyamura, 97, died last month in Phoenix and was brought back to the town of his birth Saturday at Sunset Memorial … Continue reading Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup