Marty Bilecki, a longtime and active member of the Route 66 Association of Illinois, of Morris, Illinois, died Monday morning in LaSalle County, Illinois. He was 86. A woman who answered the phone at UC Davis-Callahan Funeral Home in Morris said it was believed Bilecki succumbed from health issues. News of Bilecki's death broke Monday … Continue reading Longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate Marty Bilecki dies at age 86
Category: People
Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce being put up for sale
Allen's Fillin' Station, a landmark along a section of original Route 66 in Commerce, Oklahoma, is being put up for sale by its longtime co-owner. Bobby Allen said the asking price for the former gas station at 101 S. Main St. in Commerce is $34,900, though it is negotiable. The sale price would include all … Continue reading Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce being put up for sale
A journey on how Disney’s Cars Land was developed
Disney Parks a few days ago uploaded a video where two people from Disney and Pixar were interviewed on how they came up with the inspirations for Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park. Pixar’s Roger Gould and former Disney Imagineer Kathy Mangum provide an under-the-hood look of what went into the development and creation … Continue reading A journey on how Disney’s Cars Land was developed
Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
The mother of biracial children said she and her children were told by a KOA campground manager in Stanton, Missouri, they weren't welcome to use the facility's showers -- an echo of the Jim Crow discrimination era. The campground later apologized. The incident occurred at the Stanton / Meramec KOA Journey campground in Stanton, just … Continue reading Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
The owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced Tuesday the Route 66 landmark property was under contract after being on the market for more than 18 months. The deal with "a delightful couple" is expected to close later this month. Co-owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller posted this message on Facebook: They … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
The Meteor City Trading Post eventually will reopen for the first time since 2012 after its new owners have received a hand up from nearby Route 66 businesses and enthusiasts. The Arizona Daily Sun in a feature story recounts the three-year saga of Joann and Michael Brown of Indiana, who bought the abandoned and vandalized … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66
Last week, Tim Landes of TulsaPeople magazine sat down for a chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa. For the uninitiated, the gift shop in a repurposed gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) not only commissioned its own Muffler Man fiberglass … Continue reading A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66
Angel Delgadillo’s shop in Seligman to reopen today
In an act symbolic of Route 66's emergence from the coronavirus pandemic, Angel Delgadillo announced over the weekend he would reopen his gift shop today in Seligman, Arizona, to travelers after a two-month closure. In a short video announcing the reopening, the 93-year-old Delgadillo said "we will be wearing a mask for you, and we … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo’s shop in Seligman to reopen today
Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
Neon restorer, New Mexico Route 66 Association board member dies of COVID-19
Johnny Plath working on the motor of the rotosphere for El Comedor in Moriarty Johnny Plath, 68, a board member with the New Mexico Route 66 Association and a restorer of several historic neon signs along the route, died Friday after contracting the coronavirus. According to a news release Saturday from the association, Plath contracted … Continue reading Neon restorer, New Mexico Route 66 Association board member dies of COVID-19