For decades, locals of the tri-state area of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas have talked about the so-called "Spook Light" phenomenon that occurs on a country road near the hamlet of Hornet, Missouri. It's been described as a flickering ball of light that would appear in the early evening, then would disappear if you attempted to … Continue reading Spook Light legend was debunked more than 70 years ago
Category: History
Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town
The Texas Historical Commission recently completed a survey of Route 66 in the Lone Star State, including an interactive Google Map that shows even obscure alignments, hundreds of photos of historic sites and an apparent ruling that Washburn once was a town on the Mother Road. Results of the survey of Texas' 178 miles of … Continue reading Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town
Owner of Town House Dining Room in Albuquerque dies; restaurant closes
The Town House Dining Room along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque closed shortly before the death of its owner, Constantine “Dino” Argyres. Argyres, 57, died Nov. 12, according to an obituary in the Albuquerque Journal. On its Facebook page Oct. 31, the Town House posted: It brings great sadness that the Town House Dining … Continue reading Owner of Town House Dining Room in Albuquerque dies; restaurant closes
Take a hike around Albuquerque’s volcanoes
Not many people other than locals know this, but Albuquerque is home to three inactive volcanoes on the west edge of the city, and you can hike around them. The volcanoes, known as the Three Sisters, sit within the boundaries of Petroglyph National Monument that includes one of the largest petroglyph sites in North American. … Continue reading Take a hike around Albuquerque’s volcanoes
Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
The tourism bureau of Springfield, Illinois, recently opened a welcome center in a downtown building that once contained Abraham Lincoln's law office. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices historic site inside the 1840 three-story Tinsley dry-goods building was closed a few years ago for a $1 million renovation, but a state budget impasse kept the structure from … Continue reading Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
Book review: “Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66”
A great many photography books about Route 66 over the years have been imbued with the gauze of 1950s nostalgia and hyper-saturated color. Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Edward Keating's "Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66," consciously or not, serves as the antithesis of those books and likely will prove polarizing among Route 66 advocates. … Continue reading Book review: “Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66”
Pacific moves forward with Red Cedar Inn project
The city of Pacific, Missouri, gave the official green light to its plan to convert the Red Cedar Inn restaurant building and lounge into a history and visitors center. The Washington Missourian reported: Aldermen approved a contract Nov 6 with architects Patterhn-Ives, St. Louis, to design a multiuse interior for the structure, and determine improvements … Continue reading Pacific moves forward with Red Cedar Inn project
Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site
A small metal turkey sign that helps mark 1920s turkey tracks on old Route 66 near Nilwood, Illinois, was stolen earlier this month. Crime Stoppers of Macoupin County posted on Facebook: Sometime on or before November 11th, 2018, person or persons unknown stole a commemorative sign marking the spot of the “Turkey Tracks” on Old … Continue reading Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site
City of Amarillo condemns former Crystal Pistol building
The former Crystal Pistol building along Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, was condemned by the city for code violations. If the owner doesn't do anything to address those, the structure will be demolished. KVII-TV in Amarillo explains why: Since 2012, the Amarillo Police Department has been called out to 907 E Amarillo Blvd approximately 122 … Continue reading City of Amarillo condemns former Crystal Pistol building
A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station
A few months ago, a prominent Route 66 advocate whispered she'd been inside the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma, and she was blown away by the artifacts inside. Last week, KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City brought a reporter inside the station. Take a look for yourself: More from the story: “I don't … Continue reading A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station