Ann's Bakery, which has operated on the older alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa since 1940, will close at the end of July. Shannon Harris, granddaughter of the bakery's founders, told the Tulsa World about its impending closure. “We love our customers and the bakery and how everybody supported us, but it is time to … Continue reading Ann’s Bakery in Tulsa to close in late July
Category: History
Nelson family unveils latest mural in Lebanon
Four generations of the Nelson family on Sunday unveiled the newest Route 66-related mural in Boswell Park in Lebanon, Missouri. The mural, titled "Nelson Family Legacy," was a $75,000 project in which 143 people, businesses and organization donated money to finish it, according to the blog of the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Bruce Owen, … Continue reading Nelson family unveils latest mural in Lebanon
Scenes from the Route 66 birthday celebration
A 92nd-birthday party was held Monday in downtown Springfield, Missouri, from the spot in 1926 where area good-roads activists proposed No. 66 for a highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. The event at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Park Central East in Springfield marked the spot at the long-gone Colonial Hotel when a telegram … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 birthday celebration
Longtime Illinois state trooper Chester Henry dies
Chester Henry, a longtime Illinois state trooper in the Pontiac area and an Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame member, died at age 86 in Le Roy, Illinois, on Saturday. One of Henry's pages on Facebook had this message Sunday: We would like to inform all of you faithful followers that Chester Donovan Henry passed … Continue reading Longtime Illinois state trooper Chester Henry dies
Recollections of the early days of The Mill in Lincoln
Geoff Ladd in 2007 conducted this interview of Robert and Norma McAfee. Robert and his sister, Pauline, were greeters when The Mill (known then as The Blue Mill) opened July 25, 1929, along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The audio is hissy, so you probably will have to turn up the volume on your smartphone or … Continue reading Recollections of the early days of The Mill in Lincoln
Route 66 birthday party set for Monday in Springfield, Missouri
The city of Springfield, Missouri, will throw a free 92nd birthday party Monday afternoon for Route 66 from the downtown spot where the highway received its number in 1926. The party at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Park Central East in downtown Springfield will mark the spot when a telegram … Continue reading Route 66 birthday party set for Monday in Springfield, Missouri
Joplin baseball team’s new logo contains subtle Route 66 tribute
One of the proposed new names for Joplin's new professional baseball team was the 66ers. That name didn't win, but Route 66 figures prominently in the team's logo anyway. In an homage to Joplin's baseball past, the independent Southwest League team's nickname will be the Miners. Ballpark Digest explained the significance of the choice, which … Continue reading Joplin baseball team’s new logo contains subtle Route 66 tribute
Mohave Museum in Kingman marks 50th year
The Mohave Museum of History and Arts in Kingman, Arizona, is marking its 50th year this week -- one of the few museums near Route 66 that predate its decline as a U.S. highway. The Kingman Daily Miner published a story about the history of the museum at 400 W. Beale St., which was formally … Continue reading Mohave Museum in Kingman marks 50th year
Rebranding of Joplin’s East Town includes more Route 66 signs
The city of Joplin, Missouri, has embarked on a multi-pronged project to rebrand its historic East Town neighborhood, including adding new Route 66 signs along an original alignment there. The Joplin Globe reports new "Dreams - East Town" banners have gone up on light poles along the Langston Hughes-Broadway corridor (aka Route 66), which is … Continue reading Rebranding of Joplin’s East Town includes more Route 66 signs
Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri reopens
The Trail of Tears Memorial and Herbal Gardens near Jerome, Missouri, reopened Earth Day to the public after months of extensive restoration work by new owner Marie Ryberg, nearby artist Chris Richardson and other volunteers. About 75 people braved rainy weather to attend the ribbon-cutting with Waynesville Chamber of Commerce officials at the entrance. Jax … Continue reading Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri reopens