This week, the Daily Progress newspaper in Claremore, Oklahoma, began a series about two local African-American sports teams before desegregation -- the Claremore Clowns baseball team and the Lincoln School state championship boys basketball team. In the first part, former local athlete Gerome Riley talked about the whites-only, blacks-only era of the 1940s and early 1950s: … Continue reading Racial slur once used to promote Route 66 restaurant
Category: History
U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday evening approved by a voice vote the Route 66 National Historic Trail Act. The bill advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration. According to reports by the U.S. House clerk, lawmakers quickly suspended rules for debate and proceeded to vote on the bill, called HR 801, without objection. … Continue reading U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
Route 66 included in possible Illinois Bicentennial coin
Route 66 is among the design options that Illinois residents can choose when voting for the official design of the Illinois Bicentennial coin. All of the designs were created by Illinois artists. Coins can be pre-ordered for $45 each here. The artist's description of the coin design that includes Route 66: “The coin depicts Illinois’ strong; … Continue reading Route 66 included in possible Illinois Bicentennial coin
Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
The ruins of two Route 66 landmarks -- the Painted Desert Trading Post in Arizona and John's Modern Cabins in Missouri -- received a bit of a new lease on life when volunteers helped stabilize the long-abandoned structures. Several members of the Route 66 Co-op, which purchased the Painted Desert Trading Post a few weeks … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
Book review: “Route 66: Then and Now”
Call it a cousin to the "Route 66 Lost and Found." Author Joe Sonderman in a Facebook post in January acknowledged that influence from Russell Olsen's books. Those "Lost and Found" books (now compiled into one volume) showed decades-old images of Route 66 landmarks and newer photos -- both often taken from the same angle … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: Then and Now”
Fire damages Iron Hog Restaurant and Saloon in Oro Grande
An early morning fire Friday gutted the kitchen of the Iron Hog Restaurant and Saloon, a favorite watering hole for motorcyclists and Route 66 travelers going through Oro Grande, California. According to the Victorville Daily Press: The blaze erupted at the shuttered saloon, located at 20848 National Trails Highway, at 5:39 a.m. Friday. It spread … Continue reading Fire damages Iron Hog Restaurant and Saloon in Oro Grande
Flagstaff brewery to name new fermenter after Angel Delgadillo
Mother Road Brewing Co. in Flagstaff, Arizona, announced it will dedicate a new fermenter in honor of Angel Delgadillo, known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66. The microbrewery will hold the celebration at 4 p.m. May 30 at its new brewery at 1300 E. Butler Ave., Suite 200, in Flagstaff. Delgadillo and his family … Continue reading Flagstaff brewery to name new fermenter after Angel Delgadillo
Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?
For decades, historians cited Mary Colter as the key architect and designer for early 20th-century buildings in the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, including iconic structures at Grand Canyon National Park and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. A book published last month on Amazon Kindle by Fred Shaw with the title "False … Continue reading Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?
Enhanced Tour added to Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore
The Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently added a multimedia Enhanced Tour as part of its offerings that pay tribute to the famed humorist, actor and writer. The Tulsa World newspaper reported how local history buff Brandi Glasscock took in the tour: Glasscock and her family got to hear the voice of Michael Wallis, … Continue reading Enhanced Tour added to Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore
Groups to consider plan for Red Cedar Inn building
Three service groups are meeting to form a plan for the now-vacant Red Cedar Inn building along Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri. The Washington Missourian reported that representatives from the City Tourism Commission, Meramec Valley History Museum and Genealogy Society will meet to discuss uses for the building. Former mayor Jeff Titter, Tourism Commission President Dennis Oliver … Continue reading Groups to consider plan for Red Cedar Inn building