A visit to the Summit Inn

This is an old episode of "Gems of the Inland Empire." The host interviews C.A. Stevens, owner of the Summit Inn in Oak Hills, Calif., along old Route 66 at the top of Cajon Pass. https://vimeo.com/38862374

Historic Sunset Boulevard house may face wrecking ball

One of the oldest homes on Sunset Boulevard (aka Route 66) in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles may be razed for redevelopment, according to a blog by the Echo Park Historical Society. The compound of cottages at 2225-2235 Sunset Blvd. (map here) is more than a century old. But the most significant part … Continue reading Historic Sunset Boulevard house may face wrecking ball

The Rock Cafe, circa 2009

Here's a video shot in 2009 by Channeling Media when it was pitching Dawn Welch and her Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., for a possible Food Network show. It was about a year after the historic Route 66 restaurant was gutted by a fire and rebuilt. The cable channel passed on the idea, but Welch … Continue reading The Rock Cafe, circa 2009

Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners

When Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, started a Route 66 trip in May 2011, little did they know that journey would lead to them owning the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. Traveling in a 2009 Ford Mustang GT, the couple from Thompson Station, Tenn., started their trip in St. Louis and motored west. "We … Continue reading Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners

Midpoint Cafe is sold

The Midpoint Cafe, located on the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, Texas, has been sold, a little less than a year after longtime owner Fran Houser announced she was putting it on the market. I wasn't able to contact Houser on Monday night, but I received an email from a longtime Route 66er who … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe is sold

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famer dies

Former Illinois State Police Capt. Francis Mowery, who was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, died at age 99 last week, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Illinois Route 66 Association reported Mowery's death today on its website. Mowery was among the very first members inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famer dies

“Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 6

Here’s the sixth installment of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which chronicles a singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. In this episode, he cowboys up at a ranch in the Amarillo area: https://vimeo.com/36947317 This is my favorite episode so far. Yamashita is clearly thrilled to be on the back of a horse; … Continue reading “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 6

Roadie wins free Phillips 66 fuel for a year

In November, we reported that St. Louis-based roadie Rich Dinkela of HookedonRoute66.com had entered the Local Legends contest sponsored by Phillips 66. The top winner would win $1,000 cash and free gasoline for a year. This was his video: https://youtu.be/4YN9Efq65nU The winners have been announced, and Dinkela finished third. He earned no cash, but he … Continue reading Roadie wins free Phillips 66 fuel for a year

A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death

I sorta hate to bring this up, since it's a trivial fact in light of a tragedy. But the hotel where singing superstar Whitney Houston died on Saturday -- the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. -- sits next to Route 66. A reader alerted me to this today. The hotel lists its address as 9876 … Continue reading A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death

Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Every two years, one living and one deceased person are chosen for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. It is that time again. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is seeking nominations for 2012. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be May 26 at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here's what's need … Continue reading Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame