David Leong, who put Springfield, Missouri, on the culinary map by inventing Springfield-style cashew chicken that many other Chinese restaurants adopted, has died. He was less than a month short of his 100th birthday. Leong lived quite a life. He fled China in 1938 when Japan attacked his hometown. He immigrated to New Orleans, joined … Continue reading The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
Category: History
The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs
The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 tourism season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and needed repairs on the former Route 66 restaurant. The Logan County Tourism Bureau, which owns the facility, made the announcement Tuesday, according to The Courier in Lincoln. “Due to COVID-19 and the … Continue reading The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs
Howard Park in Tulsa may be converted into an RV park
Tulsa's historic Howard Park may be converted into an RV park to help capitalize on its location on Route 66. According to Public Radio Tulsa: Tulsa County Deputy Treasurer John Fothergill made the pitch for putting out a request for proposals to build an RV park with up to 70 spaces. Fothergill said a set … Continue reading Howard Park in Tulsa may be converted into an RV park
Route 66 Navigation principals take over ownership of Historic Route 66 website
The founders of the Route 66 Navigation app and Route 66 Passport program announced Monday they have assumed ownership of the Historic Route 66 website, at historic66.com. Marian Pavel and Jan Svrcek take over the reins of the oldest Route 66 site on the internet, established in 1994 by the husband-and-wife team of Swa Frantzen … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation principals take over ownership of Historic Route 66 website
29 gravestones vandalized at historic Hill Cemetery in Bourbon
A total of 29 headstones at historic Hill Cemetery along Route 66 in Bourbon, Missouri, recently were destroyed by vandals. It's believed the destruction, discovered Wednesday, occurred within the last two weeks after the cemetery last was mowed, according to a report by KSDK-TV in St. Louis. It's also believed more than one person was … Continue reading 29 gravestones vandalized at historic Hill Cemetery in Bourbon
Fire destroys long-closed Palmer Hotel in Afton
A fire first reported Tuesday afternoon destroyed the long-closed Palmer Hotel along Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma. The Joplin Globe in Missouri reported the fire was reported at 4 p.m. Tuesday. About 20 fire departments and 125 firefighters were called to battle the blaze, which continued to smolder 24 hours later. So much water was … Continue reading Fire destroys long-closed Palmer Hotel in Afton
Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce being put up for sale
Allen's Fillin' Station, a landmark along a section of original Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma, is being put up for sale by its longtime co-owner. Bobby Allen said the asking price for the former gas station at 101 S. Main St. in Commerce is $34,900, though it is negotiable. The sale price would include all … Continue reading Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce being put up for sale
Fabled elm trees west of Clinton may not be around much longer
Elm trees west of Clinton, Oklahoma, documented in Michael Wallis' seminal 1990 book "Route 66: The Mother Road" have died at an alarming rate in recent years and may not be long for this world. A longtime reader with a keen eye alerted me to this a few days ago and shot a short video … Continue reading Fabled elm trees west of Clinton may not be around much longer
Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Prolific author Stephen H. Provost this spring released two books barely two months apart about the early history of American roads and the so-called golden age of U.S. highways. "America's First Highways" delves into the pre-1926 era when the nation's main roads -- including a precursor to Route 66 -- were named and not numbered. … Continue reading Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant
Route History, a former gas station in Springfield, Illinois, that tells the African American experience of Route 66 and acts a souvenir shop, recently earned an $80,047 grant from the state. The grant from the Illinois Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program will the owners help buy the property, improve its grounds, add two staff members … Continue reading Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant