A few weeks ago, author Phyllis Chandler Grey informed me by email she was publishing a revised paperback version of her 2016 children's book "Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures." I said the new volume probably didn't warrant a story, because minor revisions are made to books all the time. It's routine in … Continue reading “Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures” contains major revisions, additions
Category: History
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Route 66-themed sculptures dedicated in Tulsa’s Howard Park
Tulsa officials this week dedicated three Route 66 sculptures chiseled out of Indiana limestone at Tulsa's historic Howard Park. Utah sculptor Patrick Sullivan painstakingly chiseled into the three massive blocks by hand over a period of months. The limestone columns range from eight to 10 feet tall. The $90,000 project was funded by the Vision … Continue reading Route 66-themed sculptures dedicated in Tulsa’s Howard Park
Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis added to National Register
The Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis, better known as the Globe-Democrat Building or the Globe Building, was added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The National Register listing was effective Jan. 23, according to the email. The building sits at 700-720 N. Tucker Blvd. … Continue reading Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis added to National Register
Route 66 exhibit opens Saturday at Hoover Presidential Library in Iowa
If you live in Iowa or close to it, it may interest you to know of a Route 66 exhibit coming Saturday at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum in Hoover's hometown of West Branch, east of Iowa City. "America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66" will be on display at the museum from Jan. 28 … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit opens Saturday at Hoover Presidential Library in Iowa
Congressman introduces national Route 66 centennial bill
A congressman from Illinois has introduced a Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, which directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to "prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66" and other purposes. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Republican from central Illinois, introduced H,R. 66 to the House of Representatives, and it was assigned to a transportation … Continue reading Congressman introduces national Route 66 centennial bill
Painted Desert Community Complex named National Historic Landmark
A series of buildings called the Painted Desert Community Complex that greet travelers to the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona were among 24 National Historic Landmarks declared by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. National Historic Landmarks are "historic properties of exceptional value to the nation and promotes the preservation efforts … Continue reading Painted Desert Community Complex named National Historic Landmark
‘The Founder’ movie tells story about the rise of McDonald’s
"The Founder" movie, which details the rise of longtime McDonald's restaurant magnate Ray Kroc, opens in U.S. theaters today. Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton stars in the film, who appears to put his intense, charismatic and fast-talking style to good use. Here's the trailer for "The Founder": https://youtu.be/N1adu1VkU_w The film earns an 80 percent "fresh" rating … Continue reading ‘The Founder’ movie tells story about the rise of McDonald’s
Route 66 Alliance working on Negro Motorist Green Book website project
The Route 66 Alliance and Mike McUsic are working on a website to help pass along photos, stories and video about Route 66 sites listed in editions of the Negro Motorist Green Books from 1936 to 1964, plus plenty of other of the usual road-trip material you might find. The Historypin website is meant to … Continue reading Route 66 Alliance working on Negro Motorist Green Book website project
Bad news, good news for Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood
Fans of the historic Formosa Cafe along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, have endured a mix of good news and bad news this month. The bad news is the restaurant, which dates to 1925 at 7156 Santa Monica Blvd., closed abruptly not long after New Year's Day. However, the Formosa building remains protected by … Continue reading Bad news, good news for Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood