The Library of Congress recently posted online photographs and taped interviews of the owners of surviving African American businesses for Candacy Taylor's Negro Motorist Green Book research. One of the interviewees is Allen Threatt of the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. The collection, found here, includes interview subjects from Miami, Florida; … Continue reading Library of Congress puts Negro Motorist Green Book interviews online, including Threatt Filling Station’s
Category: History
St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs
The City of St. Robert, Missouri, recently announced it began the long-awaited restoration of the Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs that once graced a defunct motel along Route 66 in west St. Louis. The sign restorations are part of the Route 66 Sign Neon Park planned at the historic George M. Reed Roadside Park at 228 … Continue reading St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs
Joe Bono, longtime owner of Bono’s Deli in Fontana, dies at age 88
Joe Bono, owner of the landmark Bono's Restaurant and Deli along Route 66 in Fontana, California, for years before it was converted to Bono's Italian Restaurant last year, died Dec. 1. He was 88. Bono died peacefully at his home, according to an obituary Thursday in the Fontana Herald News. Bono, born and raised in … Continue reading Joe Bono, longtime owner of Bono’s Deli in Fontana, dies at age 88
President Trump signs Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law, giving the forthcoming commission a few years to plan for Route 66's centennial in 2026. The White House reported Trump's signing of Senate Bill 1014 on Wednesday night, with six other bills. The U.S. House advanced it by voice vote earlier … Continue reading President Trump signs Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law
Glaida Funk, the matriarch at Funks Grove Maple Sirup, dies at age 94
Glaida Funk, the longtime matriarch of the landmark Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup near Funks Grove, Illinois, died Friday. She was 94. The Bloomington Pantagraph in nearby Bloomington posted a death notice, but arrangements were incomplete Sunday night at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. We'll post more information when it becomes available. Terri … Continue reading Glaida Funk, the matriarch at Funks Grove Maple Sirup, dies at age 94
Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis shuts down again
The historic Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has closed permanently for a second time in a little more than three years. Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman reported the closing in a Facebook post on Friday evening, with the owners citing crime, violence and COVID-19 regulations. KSDK-TV in St. Louis confirmed the closure with the … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis shuts down again
Yahoo! deletes Route 66 group; members mostly migrate to MeWe platform
An image of the homepage of the now-deleted Route 66 group on Yahoo! The end of an era quietly occurred Thursday when Yahoo! deleted the 20-year-old Route 66 group and hundreds of other Yahoo Groups, a day later than the announced deletion date of Dec. 15. However, it appears the once-influential group is rising like … Continue reading Yahoo! deletes Route 66 group; members mostly migrate to MeWe platform
Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places
The William H. Murray Bridge, better known as the iconic Pony Bridge along Route 66 near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The act became official Dec. 4, according to a weekly email from the National Park Service. I had assumed the 3,990-foot span, which opened in 1934 over … Continue reading Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places
Historic bridge sits a short distance from Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick
When a longtime Route 66 researcher discovers a historic gem just a short distance from the route, that tends to get your attention. Jerry McClanahan, Route 66 artist and author or co-author of the "Here It Is!" map series and "EZ66 Guide for Travelers" (Amazon links), posted this photo of his classic car on the … Continue reading Historic bridge sits a short distance from Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick
U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, advancing it to the office of President Donald Trump for his signature. Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership that shepherded the bill, said in a news release Tuesday the House suspended its regular rules to … Continue reading U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature