Candacy Taylor, author of a forthcoming book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published from the 1930s to the '60s, will be the keynote speaker during the fifth annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 17-20. Taylor soon will publish "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and theRoots of Black Travel … Continue reading “Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
Category: History
A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla
The Phelps County Focus newspaper recently published a nice profile of the owners of the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri. The Totem Pole proclaims itself the longest-running Route 66 business in Missouri. It dates to 1933, when the business was further east, closer to the ghost town of Arlington, Missouri, although one of … Continue reading A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla
More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
The filmmakers of the "Almost Ghosts" documentary have announced more screenings of the film at several historic theaters on or near Route 66. A screen-capture image of Angel Delgadillo in the "Almost Ghosts" film. The Flagstaff screening will feature one of the film's subjects, Angel "Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo, speaking before the movie. At … Continue reading More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
Former Black Officers Club, a mural at Fort Leonard Wood are restored
A building that served as the Black Officers' Club at Fort Leonard Wood in mid-Missouri recently was restored and renamed after Staff Sgt. Samuel Countee, who painted the building’s mural during the mid-1940s. From left, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Katharine Kerr; Sammie Whiting Ellis, Staff. Sgt. Countee's niece; and Robert G. Stanton stand in … Continue reading Former Black Officers Club, a mural at Fort Leonard Wood are restored
Re-creation of monument marks Camp Cajon’s 100th anniversary
Several weeks ago, the dedication of a replica of Camp Cajons original monument marked the 100th anniversary of the camp along Cajon Pass in Southern California. The event was during the July 4 holiday, but a story didn't appear in the San Bernardino County Sun until mid-August. History columnist Mark Landis provided a thumbnail history … Continue reading Re-creation of monument marks Camp Cajon’s 100th anniversary
Vox Media posts video about Route 66
Vox Media, an offshoot of the popular American news and opinion website, a few days ago published a YouTube video with a provocative question: Why does Route 66 matter? The 17-minute video was uploaded Friday, and it had racked up 672,000 views and more than 1,100 comments by Sunday night. At one point, it was … Continue reading Vox Media posts video about Route 66
Grand Canyon Deer Farm near Williams marks 50th year this week
The Grand Canyon Deer Farm animal sanctuary off old Route 66 near Williams, Arizona, celebrates its 50th year this week -- on Thursday, to be exact. Russell Hamilton founded the Deer Farm on Aug. 15, 1969, but Randy and Pat George are the longest-tenured owners, having run it since 1987, according to an article in … Continue reading Grand Canyon Deer Farm near Williams marks 50th year this week
Video uploaded about the history and restoration of Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa
Jack Frank, a fellow who specializes in historic-minded films and videos in Tulsa, recently uploaded a clip about the history and restoration of the Meadow Gold neon sign. https://youtu.be/g_MoqXzKwEY The video was created a few years before replicas of the clocks that hung atop the two-sided sign were returned to their rightful spots. As a … Continue reading Video uploaded about the history and restoration of Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa
More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Dave Hoekstra has scheduled more screenings of his "The Center of Nowhere" documentary about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, as he seeks to find digital distribution for his film. Hoekstra, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime Route 66 enthusiast, has been working on the film for seven years. According to a feature … Continue reading More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday
A new version of Red's Giant Hamburg opens Monday in Springfield, Missouri, decades after the original on Route 66 closed. The new Red's Giant Hamburg in south Springfield, Missouri. KY3-TV in Springfield posted a story over the weekend: The owner says he's been planning this restaurant for 25 years. Finding the right location and items … Continue reading New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday