For years, a section of a wall inside Cool Springs Camp near Kingman, Arizona, paid tribute to Tech Sgt. Thomas Walker, who went missing during a bombing run over Germany in 1944 and later was declared dead. Walker's parents, Tom and Mary, owned Cool Springs Camp from 1936 to 1940. A visitor to Cool Springs … Continue reading More details found about MIA who is memorialized at Cool Springs Camp
Category: History
Golden Driller Plaza in Tulsa undergoes renovations
The plaza for the Golden Driller just off Route 66 in Tulsa is undergoing a face-lift, including a new coat of paint for the statue itself. The Tulsa World newspaper had the details on the $3 million project at Expo Square: A key element of the new design is the construction of three drop-off lanes … Continue reading Golden Driller Plaza in Tulsa undergoes renovations
Demolition begins on Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino
The razing of the historic but closed Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino, California, began a few weeks ago. Though it's not on Route 66, many travelers heading to and from the Mother Road undoubtedly used the railroad viaduct over the decades. The span lies immediately south where Route 66 turns west onto West … Continue reading Demolition begins on Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino
‘Valentine Sally’ identified nearly 40 years after her body was found near Ash Fork
About a year ago, Route 66 enthusiast Blue Miller wrote on her Never Quite Lost blog about the mystery of "Valentine Sally," an unidentified young woman whose body was found near Ash Fork, Arizona, in an apparent homicide in February 1982. This week, Valentine Sally finally has her true name. She is Carolyn Eaton, a … Continue reading ‘Valentine Sally’ identified nearly 40 years after her body was found near Ash Fork
El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city -- the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
The Route 66 Bloomington-Normal, Illinois page on Facebook recently posted an interesting, if obscure, historical item for Black History Month -- the Chat 'n Chew restaurant and grocery in Normal. Here's the post, with Terri Ryburn of Ryburn Place (formerly Sprague Super Service station) in Normal supplying the photo: https://www.facebook.com/Route66BN/posts/153881979883693 A 2017 article, titled "Jim … Continue reading Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A recent discussion thread on the National Old Trails Road page on Facebook recently centered on a site I hadn't heard of before -- the Mystic Maze, aka Topock Maze, just south of Needles, California. For the uninitiated, the Mystic Maze is a series of rows of parallel lines in the desert, just south of … Continue reading Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
If you've ever walked on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects St. Louis to Madison, Illinois, you probably wondered what is inside those nearby water-intake towers on the Mississippi River. St. Louis television station KTVI provided a rare look via water intake tower No. 2: KTVI also has a gallery of images inside … Continue reading A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City is hosting an exhibit on pop-art icon Ed Ruscha and the first-ever examination of his roots, including his Sooner State upbringing and the impact of Route 66 on him. The center's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery is hosting the show in his hometown until July 5. Free tickets … Continue reading New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88
C.A. Stevens, the longtime owner of the Summit Inn restaurant at the top of Cajon Pass in Southern California, died Feb. 5 after contracting COVID-19. He was 88. Stevens owned the restaurant and an adjacent motel along old Route 66 for nearly 50 years until he sold it in 2016. A month after the sale … Continue reading Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88