The World's Largest Covered Wagon, complete with a figure of Abraham Lincoln riding it while reading a book, in Lincoln, Illinois, recently marked its 20th anniversary. The wagon is one of those attractions that seems older than it is. However, the Lincoln Courier newspaper reports it indeed was created in 2001 by Old Abe enthusiast … Continue reading World’s Largest Covered Wagon marks its 20th year
Category: History
Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday
Today marks what is considered by many as the 95th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Highway 66, aka Route 66. As one who has run this website for 16 years and been involved on Route 66 for more than 20, I've got a few random thoughts from my time of reporting about this fabled … Continue reading Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday
David Clark provides overview of Great Chicago Fire during its 150th anniversary
David G. Clark, known to Route 66 enthusiasts as the Windy City Road Warrior, recently produced a one-hour video about the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, right about the time of its 150th anniversary. The fire predates Route 66 by more than 50 years, but the fire was one of the most consequential events of … Continue reading David Clark provides overview of Great Chicago Fire during its 150th anniversary
Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
The historic and iconic Tail O' the Pup stand, famous for its hot dog shape, will reopen in 2022 in West Hollywood, California, along its stretch of Route 66. LA Eater reported last week the stand, originally located at 311 La Cienega Blvd., will include a beer garden, as well: The 1933 Group announced plans this … Continue reading Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
New “History of Route 66” is available online
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced "a new, more accurate" history of Route 66 has been published by Oxford University Press’ Research Encyclopedia on American History. The work was a collaboration between members of Route 66 Road Ahead’s Research and Education working group, Dr. David Dunaway and Dr. Stephen Mandrogoc of the University … Continue reading New “History of Route 66” is available online
Memorial Hall in Joplin added to National Register of Historic Places
The nearly century-old Memorial Hall in Joplin, Missouri, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a recent email from the National Park Service that administers the program. The listing was effective Oct. 7. Memorial Hall sits one block south of Seventh Street, aka Route 66, in the city. Memorial Hall … Continue reading Memorial Hall in Joplin added to National Register of Historic Places
Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
New website offers self-guided tours of Route 66 in Tulsa
A new website is offering self-guided tours of historic landmarks in Tulsa, including Route 66. Root Tulsa Historic Tours offers tours of the Greenwood District and Route 66 through the website directly or by scanning a QR code with a smartphone, according to a report from KTUL in Tulsa. It's a partnership between Root Tulsa … Continue reading New website offers self-guided tours of Route 66 in Tulsa
Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where a young politician named Abraham Lincoln served in the state Legislature and delivered his "House Divided" speech, reopened to tours last week after months of interior renovations. The Associated Press reports exterior work on the Capitol's dome is continuing, but indoor work on plaster and painting was … Continue reading Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago
Ed Debevic's restaurant, famous for its 1950s decor and theatrically surly waitstaff, has reopened in the Streeterville area of Chicago after its previous River North location was closed and demolished about six years ago. The old Ed Debevic's was north of Route 66 but provided such a unique experience that many Route 66 travelers included … Continue reading Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago