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
Category: People
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
Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced that its 2026 Route 66 centennial T-shirt features artwork from late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. Waldmire, a well-traveled hippie whose intricate pen-and-ink drawings were beloved by the Route 66 community, was also the inspiration for Fillmore the Volkswagen minibus in Disney-Pixar’s 2006 "Cars" film. He was also … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
Connie Echols, recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel, dies
Connie Echols, the recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, died Saturday, just weeks after she sold the Route 66 landmark. The motel's new owner, Rich Dinkela, announced her death on Sunday. If you’ve ever traveled Route 66, you know the Wagon Wheel isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a place … Continue reading Connie Echols, recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel, dies
Michael Wallis, Rhys Martin, Ken Busby to be part of latest Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
"Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis, Route 66 Alliance Executive Director and CEO Ken Busby and Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and National Preserve Route 66 manager with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will preside over this month's edition of the Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. The livestream … Continue reading Michael Wallis, Rhys Martin, Ken Busby to be part of latest Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Rich Dinkela purchases the historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba
Today, Rich Dinkela and his wife, Christina, closed on the purchase of the landmark Wagon Wheel Motel along Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri. Dinkela said they bought the property for $1 million. He said there would be a "lull" of one to two weeks in the motel's operation while staff are being trained there and … Continue reading Rich Dinkela purchases the historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba
Michael Wallis to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference
Organizers for the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announced that "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis will be the keynote speaker for the Oct. 8-11 event in Springfield, Illinois, during the highway's centennial year. Wallis, also the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in Disney‑Pixar’s popular and influential "Cars" films, … Continue reading Michael Wallis to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference
Weatherford oilman giving away a 1966 Chevelle to mark his 66th birthday
An oilman and entrepreneur based in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with substantial roots on Route 66 is giving away a vintage car to celebrate his forthcoming 66th birthday. Rick Koch is giving away the 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle to also celebrate Route 66's centennial. The giveaway will be held on Aug. 6, Koch's birthday, at his Lucille's Roadhouse … Continue reading Weatherford oilman giving away a 1966 Chevelle to mark his 66th birthday