The Edmond Historical Society & Museum in Edmond, Oklahoma, recently received a $2,800 grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society to help pay for a Route 66 exhibit. The Edmond Sun newspaper reported: "Because of Edmond's placement along Route 66, visitors are eager to learn more about our role in the history of the Mother Road," … Continue reading Edmond museum awarded a grant for new Route 66 exhibit
Category: History
Improvements coming to Andy Payne Park in Foyil
The town of Foyil, Oklahoma, soon will embark on improvements to Andy Payne Park -- best-known for its statue of Payne running -- off old Route 66 in the village. According to the Claremore Daily Progress newspaper in nearby Claremore: The improvements, budgeted at $11,000, will include three new picnic tables covered by a large … Continue reading Improvements coming to Andy Payne Park in Foyil
Newest RoadTripOK video focuses on Elk City
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department on Wednesday uploaded the latest video of its RoadTripOK series -- the Route 66 town of Elk City. The video focuses on these three Elk City attractions: National Route 66 & Transportation MuseumPrairieFire Grille restaurantElk City biking trails Here's the video: https://youtu.be/nuT2OaeBnVE The previous week, the RoadTripOK crew visited … Continue reading Newest RoadTripOK video focuses on Elk City
Book review: “Overground Railroad”
Candacy Taylor's book, "Overground Railroad," about the Negro Motorist Green Book and the history of African-American travel, will prove provocative and even shocking to some readers -- including the chapter devoted to Route 66. Subtitled "The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America" (Abrams Press, hardcover, 360 pages, 150 illustrations), the years … Continue reading Book review: “Overground Railroad”
Blue Front Cafe in Amarillo abruptly closes
The Blue Front Cafe along the Sixth Avenue alignment of Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, closed its doors in January, according to two local media outlets. KFDA-TV in Amarillo reported about a week ago about the Blue Front's closure and a downtown restaurant, Acapulco Mexican Restaurant: Down on 6th street and Jefferson the restaurant Blue … Continue reading Blue Front Cafe in Amarillo abruptly closes
Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City recently ventured to Chandler, Oklahoma, to do a 2 1/2-minute feature about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his shop there. The best part from the video's transcript: Just outside sits an idling 1954 Chevy station wagon, not so different from the cars his father used to drive on … Continue reading Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
Two Guns site in Arizona under contract; fate remains unknown
The sale of historic but dilapidated Two Guns site along Route 66 in Arizona is pending after the 232-acre site was for sale for $3.715 million. Route 66 researcher Blue Miller first reported Monday the property is under contract on the Historic Route 66 page on Facebook. Sure enough, the site listing on Realtor.com states … Continue reading Two Guns site in Arizona under contract; fate remains unknown
Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old bottles of 76 and Kist soda and a Crescent Creamery bottle found along old Route 66 in the Petrified Forest National Park. (NPS) KJZZ-FM radio, a public station based in Phoenix, recently conducted a fascinating interview with a paleontologist at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. William Parker, the paleontologist, collects trash … Continue reading Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Book review: “A Matter of Time”
The new book "A Matter of Time" (272 pages, 174 photos, hardcover, University of Oklahoma Press) featuring Ellen Klinkel's black-and-white photographs may appear to be a coffee-table book -- and a very good one. But it's the text by co-author Nick Gerlich that sets the book apart from typical Route 66 volumes, offering a modern … Continue reading Book review: “A Matter of Time”
San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
Thanks to social media, people in recent years have become fascinated by so-called "arrows on the ground" that served as airmail beacons during the 1920s. Because these long-abandoned arrows were made of concrete, many still survive. To my surprise, I recently found out the Route 66 town of San Jon, New Mexico, also built a … Continue reading San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground