Forrest R. Nelson, a longtime friendly clerk at Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kansas, and the father of the store's owner, died Wednesday at a nearby hospital. He was 98. The store announced Nelson's death on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oldrivertonstore/posts/4999077243498569 Nelson was a World War II veteran in Europe and spent nearly 40 years as … Continue reading Forrest Nelson, a longtime clerk and friendly face at Old Riverton Store, dies at 98
Category: History
Little Beaver Creek Bridge near Rolla closed to make way for a new bridge
The historic Little Beaver Creek Bridge along old Route 66 west of Rolla, Missouri, was closed last week so a new bridge would replace it this spring. According to an article in the Phelps County Focus, Martin Springs Drive (aka Route 66) leading to the bridge was closed on Jan. 20. The new, 90-foot-long bridge … Continue reading Little Beaver Creek Bridge near Rolla closed to make way for a new bridge
New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
The preservation of a once-covered Adohr Milk Farms neon sign along Route 66 in Pasadena, California, became complicated in recent months because of a city's inexplicable decision and the tangled history of the family behind the long-defunct milk business. For those who missed the previous reporting, Howlin' Ray's hot chicken restaurant was doing a face-lift … Continue reading New developments complicate preservation of Adohr Milk Farms sign
Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
The Lincoln County Express child-size train that spent decades rusting away amid the brush along Route 66 east of Stroud, Oklahoma, has been restored and moved next to the landmark Rock Cafe in Stroud. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin reported in a Facebook post on the Historic Route 66 page that the city … Continue reading Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
The remarkable story of Alberta’s Hotel in Springfield, Missouri
KOLR-TV in Springfield, Missouri, recently produced a segment about the amazing history of Alberta's Hotel, an establishment in that Route 66 city that catered to African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Alberta's Hotel was listed in the annual Negro Motorist Green Book travel guide. Both perished during the mid-1960s, about the time the United … Continue reading The remarkable story of Alberta’s Hotel in Springfield, Missouri
Teardown begins of Cactus Motor Lodge in Tucumcari
Workers on Tuesday began tearing down the long-closed Cactus Motor Lodge, aka Cactus RV Park, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, to make way for an auto parts store. O'Reilly Auto Parts, based in Springfield, Missouri, plans to build a store there later this year. O'Reilly purchased the property in late 2018 but was delayed in developing … Continue reading Teardown begins of Cactus Motor Lodge in Tucumcari
A profile of a prolific Oklahoma muralist
An Oklahoma City television station recently profiled a Sooner State muralist who's painted up to 4,000 murals during his career, including several on Route 66. Here's the profile of Bob Palmer from KFOR-TV. You can see one of his Route 66 murals in the segment: Dozens of his historic-themed murals can be seen here. You'll … Continue reading A profile of a prolific Oklahoma muralist
New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture
A new exhibit at an arts center in Joplin, Missouri, examines the cross-cultural impact of Route 66 from a native of that town. "Route 66: Crossing Cultural Lines," curated by artist and former American Jazz Museum curator Sara Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, will be in the main gallery of the Spiva Center for the Arts in … Continue reading New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture
Museum Club of Flagstaff to go on indefinite hiatus starting Monday
Citing hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the historic Museum Club of Flagstaff, Arizona, will go on at least an indefinite hiatus starting Monday. The storied bar and music club on Flagstaff's east side along Route 66 made this announcement Monday on its Facebook page: This is our last week open. It's been a fun … Continue reading Museum Club of Flagstaff to go on indefinite hiatus starting Monday
Woody’s Wood-Fire Pizza in Joplin reopens as a much bigger location after fire
Woody's Wood-Fire Pizza, a stalwart along Route 66 on the west side of Joplin, Missouri, recently reopened after a fire a year ago prompted the owners to make big improvements to the restaurant. Wally Kennedy, the business columnist for the Joplin Globe, stated Woody's once was "the tiniest restaurant in Joplin." However, the rebuild by … Continue reading Woody’s Wood-Fire Pizza in Joplin reopens as a much bigger location after fire