The Route 66 Association of Illinois will begin to accept nominations for its Hall of Fame from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, according to a news release by the association. To qualify, nominees must have made significant contributions to the character or history of the Illinois Route 66 while it was an official U.S. highway … Continue reading Nominations sought for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame
Category: Museums
Joplin museum may move to Route 66
The Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Mo., asked the City Council on Monday night to move its cramped operations to Memorial Hall on Seventh Street, aka Route 66, and levy a sales tax to help pay for it, renovations and operating expenses, reported the Joplin Globe. Brad Belk, director of the museum complex, told the … Continue reading Joplin museum may move to Route 66
A chat with Michael Wallis
I talked with Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, by phone Friday night from his home in Tulsa. Wallis was in an expansive mood, and talked about a few things that probably will be of interest to roadies: --- Wallis and Jim Conkle, … Continue reading A chat with Michael Wallis
A closer look at Goffs
Claudia Heller, in her ongoing series about Route 66 for the several Southern California newspapers, has produced an engaging story about the near-ghost town of Goffs, Calif. The most newsworthy item is that the Goffs Library, located next to the historic Goffs Schoolhouse, was recently built and will house the Mojave Desert Archives. The building … Continue reading A closer look at Goffs
Santa Monica building a new history museum
The Santa Monica (Calif.) Daily Press reports that construction has started on a new home for the Santa Monica History Museum at Seventh Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, aka Route 66. Hands-on interactive displays will include a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, Whirlwind Dipper roller coaster (where with the touch of a button visitors can be transported … Continue reading Santa Monica building a new history museum
Wildwood group secures site for history museum
Newsmagazine Network, which serves the west suburbs of St. Louis, reports that the Wildwood (Mo.) Historical Society has bought a five-acre tract known as "The Hencken Place" and seeks to establish a historical museum and theater there. The land is located directly off Hwy. 100, just 1/8 mile west of Stovall’s Grove Saloon. Nearly 7,000 … Continue reading Wildwood group secures site for history museum
First class inducted into Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame eventually will open on Route 66 of Chandler, Okla. Recently, the first seven members of the Hall of Fame were announced, and they will be inducted at the Route 66 Interpretive Center in town on Dec. 6. The seven inductees will be: Bill Tilghman, Heck Thomas and Chris … Continue reading First class inducted into Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
Notes from the road
I'm playing a bit of catch-up, ever since I left town this past weekend to see Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show. Here are a few things of interest to roadies ... -- The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa this year was a doozy, with more than 7,000 runners participating, along with 60 classic cars and … Continue reading Notes from the road
A look at California’s Route 66 museums
Claudia Heller, writing for the Pasadena Star-News, takes a gander at California's two Route 66 museums in Barstow and Victorville. This is Part 2 of Heller's ongoing series about Route 66. Part 1 is here. Both Route 66 museums are worthwhile. But, honestly, the best way to see the Mother Road's artifacts and history is … Continue reading A look at California’s Route 66 museums
Kansas visitors center lauded
The Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center in Baxter Springs, Kan., was recognized Friday by the National Park Service as "a place that matters," according to a report by the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. Kaisa Barthuli of the NPS' Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program noted that volunteers used 1,200 hours to restore the 1930 gas station … Continue reading Kansas visitors center lauded