Oklahoma's governor recently signed the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law. That piece of news was tucked into a Tulsa World story where Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell again pledged to make the Sooner State a leader in Route 66 tourism, including a convention with stakeholders. The convention will be Dec. 3-4 at the … Continue reading Governor signs Oklahoma Route 66 centennial legislation into law
Category: History
Signs taken away from long-closed Sahara Lounge in Santa Rosa
The neon signs for the long-closed Sahara Lounge on the west side of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were hauled away Thursday morning by an Albuquerque company. Richard Delgado, who lives in Santa Rosa, sent along this image of workers from SignArt taking down the last of the the signs. Here is a Facebook post from … Continue reading Signs taken away from long-closed Sahara Lounge in Santa Rosa
Roof blown off historic Needles Theatre
An apparent dust devil Saturday blew off the remnants of a metal roof off the historic but long-closed Needles Theatre in downtown Needles, California. The wreckage of the roof blocked the westbound lanes of Broadway (aka Route 66) in Needles. The Needles Desert Star reported: Needles resident Michael Wright was on the second floor of … Continue reading Roof blown off historic Needles Theatre
“Aprons Away” play will be performed June 22-23 in Pontiac
The play "Aprons Away: Women's Work on the Mother Road" will be performed June 22-23 at the Eagle Theater and Performing Arts Center in Pontiac, Illinois. The Cheryl Eichar Jett play is being co-sponsored by the Route 66 Association of Illinois and Pontiac Tourism to help celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Route 66 Association … Continue reading “Aprons Away” play will be performed June 22-23 in Pontiac
Ozark Trail obelisk near Stroud cleaned of graffiti
The historic obelisk that marked a crossroads of the Ozark Trail near Stroud, Oklahoma, recently was cleansed of graffiti. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post Friday: The Ozark Trail obelisk near Stroud, OK has long been marred by graffiti. Thanks to the efforts of Route 66 enthusiast Sam Murray, the old … Continue reading Ozark Trail obelisk near Stroud cleaned of graffiti
Jack Rabbit Trading Post to host 70th birthday bash on July 6
The Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, will host a special birthday bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 6 to mark the Route 66 business' 70th anniversary. The event will include food vendors, a bake sale, giveaways, children's activities and a grand prize for anyone who finds the painted rabbit rock … Continue reading Jack Rabbit Trading Post to host 70th birthday bash on July 6
The tenuous Route 66 link to the century-old Casper’s diner in Springfield
Though I've written on this website for a long time (next year will be 15 years), I still occasionally discover things that I apparently have overlooked. Casper's diner in Springfield, Missouri, is one of those I've overlooked. And there may be a good reason for that. According to a recent article in The Standard, Casper's … Continue reading The tenuous Route 66 link to the century-old Casper’s diner in Springfield
Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday
Citing a "decline in physical attendance," the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri, announced Tuesday it will close its doors permanently Friday. The Facebook page for the museum put out this message Tuesday: The post does not elaborate on what will happen to the extensive vacuum collection. The museum at 3 Industrial Drive in … Continue reading Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James to close for good Friday
Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube
Scott Piotrowski recently uploaded a 20-minute documentary from 1998, "158 Miles to Yesterday," that he directed and produced. The film, shot in 16 mm film and uploaded from the VHS tape, examines the longest unbroken stretch of original Route 66 from in Arizona, from about Crookton Road to Topock. Now over 20 years old, the … Continue reading Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube
Original Route 66 alignment verified near Newkirk
Several respected Route 66 researchers announced last week they had verified a section of dirt road near Newkirk, New Mexico, was original Route 66 during the 1920s. The old alignment runs south and west of Newkirk -- part of it on private land. The bonus is the alignment runs right by old Newkirk Cemetery southwest … Continue reading Original Route 66 alignment verified near Newkirk