Tulsa will erect a total of 29 historical markers along Route 66 in the next few weeks, continuing that city's embrace of its Mother Road heritage. The markers first were envisioned back in 2005 as part of the original Vision 2025 sales tax for Route 66 projects. The markers will cost $111,000, which included about … Continue reading Tulsa adding 29 historical markers along Route 66
Category: History
New mural added to Yukon’s Best Flour mill in Yukon
A Costa Rican immigrant raised in Yukon, Oklahoma, recently completed a terrific-looking mural on the side of one of the buildings at the city's landmark Yukon's Best Flour mill elevator. Channel 9 in nearby Oklahoma City produced a video about the mural and its creator, Carlos Barboza. Here is more from the report: Barboza researched … Continue reading New mural added to Yukon’s Best Flour mill in Yukon
Springfield utility makes quick work of covering graffiti on Chatham Road Bridge
City Water, Light and Power crews of Springfield, Illinois, wasted little time in covering over graffiti on the Chatham Road Bridge that once carried Route 66. WICS-TV in Springfield posted a report this week about the vandalism: A viewer sent us the photos of the vandalism before CWLP was able to paint over it.Painted on the … Continue reading Springfield utility makes quick work of covering graffiti on Chatham Road Bridge
OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, aka OKPOP, will break ground this month across the street from the historic Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa, officials announced last week. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 23, and the governor and other officials will attend, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. Construction on the OKPOP … Continue reading OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
Big Chief Roadhouse marks 90th year in Wildwood
The Big Chief Roadhouse, which sits along an old alignment of Route 66 in Wildwood, Missouri. recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. The Lancer Feed, a newspaper created by students at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, created this video from the Sept. 14 celebration: https://youtu.be/38_lRMseNlY The restaurant's website contains an extensive history here. The Big Chief … Continue reading Big Chief Roadhouse marks 90th year in Wildwood
Illinois Tourism honors Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor of Carlinville
The Illinois Office of Tourism and the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau this week honored Taylor's Mexican Chili Parlor in Carlinville as an “Illinois Maker” for emphasizing a visitor experience and inspiring travel. Taylor's beat 18 other contenders for the title this year, reported the Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat. A total of 146 businesses are … Continue reading Illinois Tourism honors Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor of Carlinville
One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
Folks in Europe the United Kingdom have been watching this six-part series at it aired, but we yanks didn't get a look at the BBC2's "Hairy Bikers Route 66" until one kind soul uploaded the second episode a few days ago. The episode begins in mid-Missouri and goes west to Tulsa and Cherokee Nation country … Continue reading One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”
It's hard to believe now, but more than 100 drive-in theaters once existed on or near Route 66. The number now is seven. That factoid and many more are found in Michael Kilgore's well-researched and brisk-reading "Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today" (Neon Jukebox, 176 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Kilgore is the big kahuna … Continue reading Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”
Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
This weekend's 49th annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln, Illinois, will attempt to break a world record for the most people dressed as Honest Abe in one place. According to a news release about the Sept. 21-22 festival: The public is invited by the Logan County Tourism Bureau to help break the World … Continue reading Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
Elbow Inn operators lose lease; owners will restore look to 1950s
Some good news and bad news emerged this week about the Elbow Inn in Devil's Elbow, Missouri. First, the bad news. The operators of the barbecue restaurant and tavern since 2006 stated in a Facebook post Thursday the owners gave them notice they "would like to take the place in a different direction" and that … Continue reading Elbow Inn operators lose lease; owners will restore look to 1950s