A U.S. House of Representatives committee on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would federally designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. The National Resources Committee advanced H.R. 801 to the full House of Representatives. It can become law if the House and Senate pass it before the end of the year. The House … Continue reading House panel unanimously advances bill for Route 66 National Historic Trail
Category: History
1951 time capsule in Waynesville to be opened Wednesday
What appears to be a 1951 time capsule recently found within a hollowed-out stone in a former school building in Waynesville, Missouri, being demolished will be opened at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Waynesville High School. The public is invited to the unveiling of the welded copper box's contents at the school's Lecture Hall, which is … Continue reading 1951 time capsule in Waynesville to be opened Wednesday
John T. Woodruff’s 150th birthday observed
People gathered in Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday night to mark the 150th birthday of John T. Woodruff -- one of the city's top early developers and a key figure in establishing U.S. Highway 66. The event occurred at the former Kentwood Arms Hotel, now a dormitory for Missouri State University, in downtown Springfield. More in … Continue reading John T. Woodruff’s 150th birthday observed
Black-owned business plans move into historic building in Bristow
An African-American-owned business based in Las Vegas plans to move into a historic building on Route 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma, later this year. Articulate Communication Publications SLLC describes itself as a Christian-based company that seeks to move into the Root's Furniture building along Route 66 in Bristow and foster the careers of other creatives and … Continue reading Black-owned business plans move into historic building in Bristow
Extreme cold closes Illinois Route 66 Museum in Pontiac until Jan. 8
Extremely cold weather and a broken heating unit prompted local officials Friday to close the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac until at least Monday, Jan. 8. Ellie Alexander, director of tourism for the city, wrote in an email Friday the heating unit lacks essential parts that won't be available until … Continue reading Extreme cold closes Illinois Route 66 Museum in Pontiac until Jan. 8
Pulitzer-winning photographer will publish Route 66 book in the fall
Photographer Edward Keating, who won the Pulitzer Prize for documenting the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks in New York City, announced he soon will publish a book of his Route 66 photography he's compiled over the last 17 years. Keating wrote in a Facebook post last week the book, titled "MAIN STRƎƎT," will be published by … Continue reading Pulitzer-winning photographer will publish Route 66 book in the fall
Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center
The city of Strafford, Missouri, is constructing a Route 66 Historical Park next to city hall along with a visitors center. KY3 in nearby Springfield got the details: When completed, it will feature reconstructed versions of local 66 icons -- the Bumgardner (sic) General Store and Delp Hotel. "We do not have a lot of … Continue reading Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center
Tucumcari’s Five Mile Park may be redeveloped
Officials from the National Park Service and city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, met recently to discuss ideas on how to redevelop Five Mile Park, located off old Route 66 west of town. Five Mile Park once was known for a large and elaborate swimming-pool complex, but the pool hasn't been used for 40 years, and … Continue reading Tucumcari’s Five Mile Park may be redeveloped
Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”
The story behind the now-iconic song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" is Bobby Troup and his wife, Cynthia Troup, were traveling west on that highway to California in 1946 when she came up with the line "Get your kicks on Route 66." Bobby Troup finished the rest of the song, pitched it to Nat … Continue reading Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”
The dead end of Route 66 nostalgia
The CityLab website recently published a profile about photographer and filmmaker Phil Donahue (not the talk-show host) and his efforts to document what he calls "nostalgia on Route 66." Donahue's observations give the reader a lot of think about. Here's what he observed in many Route 66 towns: For the most part, Donohue said, the … Continue reading The dead end of Route 66 nostalgia