There aren't too many of gas stations this old anymore. According to an article today in the Bloomington Pantagraph, Quinn's Shell is marking its 70th year of business today at Main and Chestnut streets (map here) in Bloomington, Ill. And, yes, it's on Route 66. Though it may look like any other Shell station, it … Continue reading Bloomington gas station marks 70th year
Category: People
Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
The Chicago Tribune tonight has posted a remarkable article about how Route 66 has financially impacted the towns along it. (The story's print edition will be on newsstands Saturday.) The report contains eye-popping data: While many small towns across the country are struggling to keep their downtowns afloat, Pontiac and a string of other Illinois … Continue reading Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
Getting closer to 3,000,000 miles
Irv Gordon has just passed driving 2.9 million miles on his 1966 Volvo P1800, and aims to hit the 3 million mark within the next two years, reported European Car magazine. Gordon, of East Patchogue, N.Y., already is in the Guinness Book of World Records for most miles by one owner on a noncommercial vehicle. And … Continue reading Getting closer to 3,000,000 miles
Free business advice
BusinessesForSale.com, based in the United Kingdom, posts interviews with entrepreneurs. This one is an interview with Kumar Patel, owner of the Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif. https://youtu.be/1rMZ8VcJiQk If I were any business owner, I'd listen more closely to Patel. He and his family turned a laughingstock into one of the best-restored and … Continue reading Free business advice
Annabelle Russell marks 66th birthday today
Annabelle Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers based in the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., marked her 66th birthday today. Usually birthdays are no big deal in Route 66 corners. However, because Annabelle and her husband Harley have been entertaining Route 66 tourists for more than a decade, her 66th year has a … Continue reading Annabelle Russell marks 66th birthday today
“Billy Connolly’s Route 66,” final episode
Here is the fourth and final episode of "Billy Connolly's Route 66," aired on ITV in Britain on Thursday. It goes from eastern Arizona to Santa Monica, in five parts: https://youtu.be/jlM6Fo5hOEY https://youtu.be/4ZdglmW1pGo https://youtu.be/BlhFSvN_EL8 https://youtu.be/sNi-niiBQ9k https://youtu.be/E7XkoT4V2oM Having watched the whole series, I predict this will become the biggest tourism boon to Route 66 since the Disney-Pixar … Continue reading “Billy Connolly’s Route 66,” final episode
Route 66’s starting point
WBBM Channel 2 in Chicago aired this segment Friday about Route 66's eastern starting point, featuring author and tour guide David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior. https://youtu.be/oucCSyrgW8Q Information about Clark's walking and driving tours are found here. You can shop for his books here. My favorite of the lot is "Exploring Route 66 in … Continue reading Route 66’s starting point
City Museum founder dies in industrial accident
Bob Cassilly, founder of the popular City Museum in St. Louis, died in an apparent construction accident Monday on the north side of town, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper reported that Cassilly died while operating a bulldozer at the construction site of his Cementland amusement park, formerly the Missouri Portland Cement Co., in north … Continue reading City Museum founder dies in industrial accident
“Billy Connolly’s Route 66,” Episode 2
The second episode of "Billy Connolly's Route 66" aired today in England. And, like clockwork, the same fellow on YouTube has posted it in five parts. This episode goes from St. Louis to Oklahoma City: https://youtu.be/Ag7yt4JDRgw https://youtu.be/osNgoRVHVXs https://youtu.be/_aN_cNltZcU https://youtu.be/sc6xcfpU5JQ https://youtu.be/iRwPyOcoaSk
Bill Shea named grand marshal for Route 66 festival parade
I don't know whether this has been reported, but the prominent owner of a gas station museum has been named grand marshal of the cruise at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., this weekend. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports today: Bill Shea, owner of Shea’s Gas Station Museum, 2075 Peoria Road, will be … Continue reading Bill Shea named grand marshal for Route 66 festival parade