Students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City recently finished most of its work on a long-inoperable U-Haul truck that had been painted by late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, it took about three months to make the 1989 Toyota truck roadworthy again. "It wouldn't even run when … Continue reading Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Category: People
Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride
Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, is participating in the Proud to be IN America Ride from June 28 through July 12 along Route 66. Perry, an Army veteran, wrote in an email: I want to invite you to join us for a ride to honor Veterans past, present and future, not … Continue reading Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride
Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
The City of Chandler, Oklahoma, announced it will hold a grand opening on July 4 for McClanahan Park -- including a 30-foot-tall statue of the 66 Man comic book superhero created by resident and Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan. The city stated on Facebook: The grand opening will take place from 7–9 p.m. and will … Continue reading Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
Blaine Davis, longtime caretaker of Catoosa’s Blue Whale, dies
Blaine Davis, the longtime caretaker of the landmark Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, during a critical time in its history, has died. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced his death on Wednesday. Many will say Blaine's father built the Blue Whale, which is true. But Blaine was a giant in his own right. He helped … Continue reading Blaine Davis, longtime caretaker of Catoosa’s Blue Whale, dies
Route 66 author T. Lindsay Baker dies in accident during Route 66 Centennial Caravan
T. Lindsay Baker, a historian and author of two Route 66-themed books, died Thursday morning in an accident on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff, Arizona, while participating in the Route 66 Centennial Caravan as a Texas representative. He was 79. The Texas Old Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post that Baker had been driving … Continue reading Route 66 author T. Lindsay Baker dies in accident during Route 66 Centennial Caravan
Lynn “Lulu” Bagdon, longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate, dies at 69
Lynn "Lulu" Bagdon, a devoted member of the Illinois Route 66 Association for over 20 years, died last month in Hebron, Indiana. She was 69. Bagdon, who even worked at a Route 66-based restaurant in the Chicagoland area for a time, frequently attended Route 66 gatherings across the country until poor health curtailed her activities … Continue reading Lynn “Lulu” Bagdon, longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate, dies at 69
Jim Ross and Shellee Graham to present “Route 66: The First 100 Years” as part of Centennial Speaker Series
Authors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham will present "Route 66: The First 100 Years" on June 9 as part of the monthly Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. The free livestreamed seminar will be at 2 p.m. Eastern and 11 a.m. Pacific time. Free registration is here. A synopsis of the presentation: Route 66 conjures images … Continue reading Jim Ross and Shellee Graham to present “Route 66: The First 100 Years” as part of Centennial Speaker Series
Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile
Back in January, you may remember a story about Ed and Jackie Fogle of Oklahoma, who were planning to celebrate Route 66's centennial by traveling the entire 2,400-mile length of the highway in a 1926 Hupmobile. Well, they made it. According to WBBM-TV in Chicago, they managed to drive the century-old car from the Windy … Continue reading Oklahoma couple completes full Route 66 journey in a 1926 Hupmobile
Fat Tested Travel founder will document Route 66 during its centennial
Jason Vaughn began filming travel videos when he weighed 380 pounds because he was tired of vacation content made for people who already knew they belonged. Through his YouTube channel Fat Tested Travel, Vaughn helps plus-size travelers, fat travelers and people of size answer the questions most travel shows skip: Will the ride restraint close? … Continue reading Fat Tested Travel founder will document Route 66 during its centennial
Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark
The son of the founder of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, is "miserable" and struggling to maintain the site in the wake of his father's death. Elliott Long became the caretaker of the Route 66 landmark after its creator and his father, Elmer Long, died of cancer at age … Continue reading Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark