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
Category: History
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
New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area
A variety of dignitaries on Monday dedicated a new historical marker for famed union activist Mother Jones and coal-miners' union movement at the southbound Interstate 55 Coalfield rest area south of Springfield, Illinois. In addition, Ireland’s consul general to Chicago and the Midwest participated in a wreath-laying ceremony that day at the Mother Jones Monument, … Continue reading New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area
Richardson Building in Arcadia added to National Register
The Edward Richardson Building in Arcadia, Oklahoma, now known as the home of GlassBoy Studios, recently was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. An email Friday from the National Park Service stated the property at 101 Main St. in Arcadia had its listing effective Dec. 4. According to the National Register nomination form, the … Continue reading Richardson Building in Arcadia added to National Register
Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Cherokee Nation and city officials on Tuesday dedicated a mural commemorating artisan Anna Belle Sixkiller Mitchell, known as a Cherokee National Treasure, in downtown Vinita, Oklahoma, along Route 66. Mitchell, who lived in Vinita, was designated as a Cherokee National Treasure in 1988 for reviving traditional pottery methods and sharing her skill with others, according to a news … Continue reading Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Sue Blesi, a historian, dug up the bizarre story of a man who was buried alive for a week in a pit with poisonous snakes and an alligator to draw visitors to the Silver Star Court motel and restaurant on Route 66 near St. Clair, Missouri. Blesi, who recounted the tale in the Washington Missourian … Continue reading Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Residents of Virden, Illinois, had hoped last year to restore the deteriorating Virden History Mural along Route 66. However, the mural was deemed unsalvageable, and it will be repainted from scratch with a whole new design. Here is a preliminary artist's rendering of the soon-to-come mural: The husband-and-wife team of Bernie Gietl and D.L. Whitlock-Gietl of … Continue reading Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Midewin removing one history in favor of another
Officials of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Wilmington, Illinois, are gradually removing storage bunkers that once were a part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in favor of restoring the original prairie. The fascinating article in The Herald-News illustrates how preservation or restoration can come in direct conflict with another era of history in the … Continue reading Midewin removing one history in favor of another
Albuquerque wants to create historic Route 66 inventory
The city of Albuquerque is considering a resolution to create an inventory of all buildings along Route 66 that are 50 years old and older to document and even preserve them. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports: The city said the building inventory would have a snapshot of the building, information about it, building materials used, as … Continue reading Albuquerque wants to create historic Route 66 inventory