A person who wrote a letter to the editor to the weekly Illinois Times newspaper, based in Springfield, came up with an intriguing idea -- promoting restaurants that serve horseshoe sandwiches in the Land of Lincoln. A horseshoe sandwich in Springfield, Illinois. In case you haven't heard of a horseshoe, it consists of thick-sliced toasted … Continue reading How about a Horseshoe Trail in Illinois?
Category: History
Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday
David "Windy City Road Warrior" Clark will give a presentation about infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and his links to Route 66 as part of The Mill Museum's 90th-anniversary celebration Saturday. David Clark in his Al Capone persona. Clark will give his "Al Capone and the Route 66 Connection" presentation from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. … Continue reading Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday
St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
DeWayne Landwehr, 74, a native of St. Clair, Missouri, recently published a book about his experiences as a teen employee at a 1950s service station along Route 66. Landwehr, who now lives in Indiana, wrote: “Will That Be Regular or Ethyl?” According to a story in the Washington Missourian, he said his father owned St. … Continue reading St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
Santa Monica History Museum hosting Route 66 exhibit through mid-October
The Santa Monica History Museum in Santa Monica, California, is hosting a new exhibit, "California's Route 66: Hiding in Plain Sight," through Oct. 19. The museum explains what's in store with the exhibit on its website: To illustrate the Route’s history, the exhibition will feature artifacts such as early driving guides, iconic signage and ephemera, … Continue reading Santa Monica History Museum hosting Route 66 exhibit through mid-October
Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
Elmer Long, the eccentric creator of the beloved Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. He was 72. Kelly Donovan, an administrator of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch page on Facebook, announced Long's death during a post on the page Friday afternoon. No obituary … Continue reading Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum marks 50th year
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, marked its 50th year of operation last weekend. During the ceremony Saturday, a time capsule was sealed so it can be opened during the museum's 100th anniversary. Among these things it contains are 16 essays from Claremore Public School fourth-graders offering ideas of what Claremore … Continue reading J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum marks 50th year
“A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October
"A Matter of Time," a photo-driven book about familiar and forgotten places on Route 66, will be coming in October from the University of Oklahoma Press. The 272-page book, subtitled "Route 66 Through the Lens of Change," by German photographer Ellen Klinkel and West Texas A&M marketing professor Nick Gerlich documents 101 spots along Route … Continue reading “A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October
Grassroots Baseball tour looking for obscure baseball sites on Route 66
The Grassroots Baseball tour this summer needs suggestions on less well-known baseball sites on or near Route 66. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is helping the soon-to-retire Baseball Hall of Fame president, Jeff Idelson, and photographer Jean Fruth as they explore Route 66. According to the partnership: “We are looking for kids, adults, stickball … Continue reading Grassroots Baseball tour looking for obscure baseball sites on Route 66
Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
The historic and celebrity-laden Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California, officially will reopen June 28 after two years and $2.4 million worth of renovations. The Hollywood Reporter reports the revamp will "make it look almost exactly the same" from before its closing. More from the exclusive report, which included a sneak peek of the interior: … Continue reading Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
Route 66 centennial bill advances out of Senate committee
The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill advanced Wednesday out of the U.S. Senate's Committee on Environment and Public Works and will head to the full Senate floor. The bill, introduced as S1014 by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on April 3, was given a letter of support by the Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 centennial bill advances out of Senate committee