Terri Ryburn, the de facto savior of the historic Sprague's Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, recently announced she is retiring from the station's Ryburn Place shop and visitor's center at the end of the year. Ryburn stated on Facebook: "I have loved meeting so many interesting and fun people at Ryburn Place at … Continue reading Terri Ryburn at Ryburn Place of Sprague’s Super Service to retire at the end of 2026
Category: People
Former Golden Spread Grill restaurant in Groom closes
The Grill, formerly known as the venerable Golden Spread Grill in Groom, Texas, has closed due to the owner's health issues. Owner Karen Brown announced on Facebook that the restaurant at 407 E. Front St. (aka Route 66) would close on Sept. 13. She thanked the community for its support over the years. She had … Continue reading Former Golden Spread Grill restaurant in Groom closes
David Knudson, founder of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, dies at 86
David M. Knudson, founder of the trailblazing National Historic Route 66 Federation during the mid-1990s, died on Aug. 31 in Yucaipa, California. He was 86. Knudson's death was announced by his son on Friday. A memorial service will be on Sept. 26 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Yucaipa. His obituary states he was born … Continue reading David Knudson, founder of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, dies at 86
Pixar releases several behind-the-scenes videos about the “Cars” movie on its 20th anniversary
Pixar recently released four videos on YouTube that take a behind-the-scenes look at the Route 66 research the animation studio undertook for its 2006 film, "Cars." Animators took several trips on Route 66 starting in 2001 to see the places and people of the Mother Road. Not only do the videos include several key characters … Continue reading Pixar releases several behind-the-scenes videos about the “Cars” movie on its 20th anniversary
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway launches inaugural awards
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
“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