The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is launching the inaugural Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Awards, celebrating the businesses, attractions, communities and individuals who contribute to the continued vitality and legacy of Route 66 in Illinois. With Route 66 celebrating its 100th anniversary, the new awards provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people and … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
Category: People
“Mr. Sam” Gillaspy, longtime tour guide at the Arcadia Round Barn, dies at 99
The Arcadia Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, announced a few days ago that Samuel D. “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy, a longtime ambassador for the Route 66 landmark, has died. He was 99. The ever-affable Gillaspy started giving tours at the Round Barn in 1992, not long after the structure was repaired. He didn't step away from … Continue reading “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy, longtime tour guide at the Arcadia Round Barn, dies at 99
Skip Curtis archives given to Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society
The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, based in Lebanon, Missouri, announced last week that it received the archives of late Missouri Route 66 author and researcher Skip Curtis. Curtis, who wrote the seminal but long-out-of-print "The Missouri U.S. 66 Tour Book" (Amazon affiliate link) in 1994, died of cancer in 2007 at age 63. He … Continue reading Skip Curtis archives given to Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society
“The Atomic Age of Route 66” is this month’s entry of the Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Filmmaker and historian Katrina Parks will present "The Atomic Age of Route 66" as part of this month's Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. The free, online presentation will be held live at 2 p.m. Eastern time, or 11 a.m. Pacific. on Aug. 11. Registration is here. More about the event: "The Atomic Age on Route … Continue reading “The Atomic Age of Route 66” is this month’s entry of the Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
New owners of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton pledge to reopen it this fall
Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, will reopen sometime this fall after it acquired new, locally based owners who want to largely preserve the Route 66 landmark. The future of the destination looked dim after the unexpected death in August 2024 of its longtime owner, Rich Henry, at the age of 77. Henry’s Rabbit Ranch … Continue reading New owners of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton pledge to reopen it this fall
John Paget’s “Route 66: The Main Street of America” full-length documentary to begin screenings on Sept. 1
"Route 66: The Main Street of America," a documentary by award-winning filmmaker John Paget, begins its roadshow on Sept. 1 in Chicago, the starting point of Route 66. This rolling premiere will travel more than 2,400 miles through all eight of Route 66's states, concluding in Los Angeles on Nov. 7. The Main Street of … Continue reading John Paget’s “Route 66: The Main Street of America” full-length documentary to begin screenings on Sept. 1
Rhys Martin, Matt Pinnell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell were inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Frisco Center in Clinton. The third inductee was the late Charles Tompkins of El Reno, the third director for the U.S. 66 Highway Association and a … Continue reading Rhys Martin, Matt Pinnell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Four more books to read during Route 66’s centennial
I reckoned that a bunch of books would be released during Route 66's centennial, and I wasn't wrong. Here are four titles that I was made aware of in recent weeks. First is Cheryl Eichar Jett's "Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66" (Amazon affiliate link). A description of the book: We’ve all heard of … Continue reading Four more books to read during Route 66’s centennial
Jersey girls traveling Route 66 in a souped-up ambulance to help spur blood donations
Longtime friends and Jersey girls Lori Talbot and Marie Forrestal are driving a retired, souped-up ambulance named Rosie the Rescuer more than 2,500 miles along Route 66 for the documentary "Miles of Kindness." They wish to ignite a movement to end the blood shortage in America. Their mission: inspire 2,500 blood donations (one for every mile traveled) and raise awareness … Continue reading Jersey girls traveling Route 66 in a souped-up ambulance to help spur blood donations
Ultrarunner to retrace much of the Bunion Derby from Chicago to Santa Monica
Ultrarunner Zach Fiske will undertake a big task next month -- completing the 2,400-mile Route 66 Centennial Bunion Derby Commemorative Run that begins in Chicago. The event has been designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project as honoring the history, culture and enduring legacy of the “Main Street of America” during the 100th anniversary of Route … Continue reading Ultrarunner to retrace much of the Bunion Derby from Chicago to Santa Monica