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
Category: History
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
Joliet history museum plans to re-create a Slovenian grocery from 1929
The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, plans to make a re-creation of a 1929 Slovenian corner grocery store that operated in town until the 1990s. According to The Herald-News, the Planinsek Meat and Grocery Store has sat unoccupied for at least 20 years at the southeast corner of Elizabeth and Russell streets (map … Continue reading Joliet history museum plans to re-create a Slovenian grocery from 1929
Jerry White, co-operator of Whitehall Merchantile in Halltown, dies at 87
Jerry White, who co-operated Whitehall Mercantile along Route 66 in Halltown, Missouri, for many years, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital in nearby Springfield. He was 87. Jerry White Jerry's wife, Thelma, not only owned the business in Halltown but both were charter members of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Thelma died in 2010 after … Continue reading Jerry White, co-operator of Whitehall Merchantile in Halltown, dies at 87
A World War II bomber landed on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois
A bomber pilot made an emergency landing on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, in 1942, then took off from the same highway after his aircraft was repaired. Reader Dave Todd forwarded me the brief story that was recounted in the Illinois State Journal newspaper on Dec. 30, 1942. The pilot, Lt. John W. Graybill, 25, … Continue reading A World War II bomber landed on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois
Gillespie receives state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum
The old Route 66 town of Gillespie, Illinois, received a $33,800 state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum. The museum was one of 43 that received $22.3 million in grants from the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program. State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, made the announcement, according to The Telegraph in Alton: “The Gillespie … Continue reading Gillespie receives state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum
Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
The Joliet City Council on Monday marked the official reopening of North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along with officials from the Joliet City Center Partnership, Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Will County. According to The Times Weekly: “This is an exciting day for all of Joliet as we reopen an iconic street in … Continue reading Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Oklahoma County and several residents of a stretch of original Route 66 on Monday installed a sign that commemorated a brief stop by a former Beatle, Paul McCartney, there in 2008. Shellee Graham, who lives on that segment of historic road with Route 66 historian Jim Ross, was there to help document the installation with … Continue reading New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma
More doubt cast on Apache Death Cave story at Two Guns
A researcher who previously has debunked a long-told tale at a Route 66 site has cast additional doubt on the Apache Death Cave massacre that supposedly occurred in 1878 at Two Guns, Arizona. And it turns out the man who likely made up the story killed a man decades before. If you're unfamiliar with Apache … Continue reading More doubt cast on Apache Death Cave story at Two Guns