A local radio station recently received a sneak preview of renovations at the History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, that will give visitors a more interactive and immersive experience later this summer, including of Route 66. KSMU radio reported on the elaborate $12 million project that was paid for with grants, donations … Continue reading Radio station gets preview of History Museum on the Square renovations
Category: History
Office of La Fonda Hotel architect added to National Register
The office of John Gaw Meem, architect of the expansion and remodeling of the famed La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a key figure in the popularization of the Pueblo Revival style, was designated on the National Register of Historic Places. The John Gaw Meem Architects Office at 1101 Camino De Cruz … Continue reading Office of La Fonda Hotel architect added to National Register
Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Lincoln to mark 50th year this weekend
Sam Sorrento's Pizzeria in downtown Lincoln, Illinois, is marking its 50th year this weekend with a ribbon-cutting at its new location just three doors down from the old site. The ribbon-cutting at 614 Broadway (aka Route 66) will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, June 7. It's part of Route 66 Weekend activities in conjunction … Continue reading Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Lincoln to mark 50th year this weekend
A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager
A reader recently tipped me off to this interview by the Village of Romeoville, Illinois, of Laura Hastert, owner and manager of the original White Fence Farm for nearly 20 years. The six-minute video provides background on the famous fried-chicken restaurant along Joliet Road (aka Route 66) near Chicago, including about Hastert herself. https://youtu.be/GAski2biV7A The … Continue reading A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager
Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison
The historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, will need at least $10 million worth of repairs in the next five years to stabilize six key structures within the long-closed complex. The Klein & Hoffman architectural and structural engineering firm gave the estimates to shore up the prison's administration building, east and west cell blocks, … Continue reading Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison
Outlook appears grim for Steak ‘n Shake restaurant chain
If you enjoy Steak 'n Shake or never have been to the restaurant chain founded 85 years ago along Route 66, you may ought to visit one soon. It may not be around in the next few years. Indiana-based Steak 'n Shake, founded in 1934 by Gus Belt along U.S. 66 in Normal, Illinois, contains … Continue reading Outlook appears grim for Steak ‘n Shake restaurant chain
Dedication of Camp Cajon monument planned for July 4
Several area historical societies plan to dedicate a new monument dedicated to Camp Cajon on July 4, which happens to be the centennial of the opening of the pre-Route 66 auto camp north of San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino County Sun reports: Commuters in the Cajon Pass on the 15 Freeway may have recently … Continue reading Dedication of Camp Cajon monument planned for July 4
Tulsa County to spend up to $2M to upgrade Golden Driller site
Tulsa County plans to spend $1.25 million to $2 million to improve the historic Golden Driller site at Expo Square in Tulsa. And Route 66 is an impetus for the upgrades, an official said. According to the Tulsa World, which talked to Expo Square President and CEO Mark Andrus: The new plaza is intended to … Continue reading Tulsa County to spend up to $2M to upgrade Golden Driller site
Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned
The original Dew Chilli location in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned online after the regional restaurant chain closed it last year. Aumann Auctions, which sold the Sonrise Donut neon signs in December, is overseeing the sale. Online bids are being accepted for the building, property and kitchen equipment through 7 p.m. Wednesday. Here's what the … Continue reading Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned
Traffic, pedestrians clog roads near Hollywood sign
A lot of people visiting Los Angeles will take photographs of the ultra-famous "Hollywood" sign perched on the hills north of the city. But that act has become more disruptive to the neighborhoods and roads near the site in the age of social media and smartphones. This video by KCET-TV in Los Angeles explains the … Continue reading Traffic, pedestrians clog roads near Hollywood sign