Peter Fonda, the son of acting legend Henry Fonda who found fame in 1969's "Easy Rider" that was shot on Route 66, has died. He was 79. Peter Fonda on a Captain America motorcycle in 2009 According to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets, Fonda died after a bout with lung cancer. Fonda … Continue reading Peter Fonda, known for his iconic role in “Easy Rider,” dies at 79
Category: People
More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Dave Hoekstra has scheduled more screenings of his "The Center of Nowhere" documentary about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, as he seeks to find digital distribution for his film. Hoekstra, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime Route 66 enthusiast, has been working on the film for seven years. According to a feature … Continue reading More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form
David G. Clark, known as the Windy City Road Warrior for his extensive knowledge of Route 66 in Chicago, is offering people a chance to read his in-progress memoirs in emailed, serialized form. Clark said he'll be sending out sections of the book by email every two or three weeks. The first installment was sent … Continue reading Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form
Beacon Car Wash comes up with novel punishment for teen’s flag theft
The Beacon Car & Pet Wash in Pacific, Missouri, known by roadies for its reuse of a long-defunct Route 66 motel's sign, came up with an imaginative way to punish a local teen who'd stolen one of its U.S. flags. According to a story in Yahoo!, car-wash owner Bill Hoaglin found one of three large … Continue reading Beacon Car Wash comes up with novel punishment for teen’s flag theft
“Almost Ghosts” documentary to screen this fall in historic theaters along Route 66
Image of Angel Delgadillo from the "Almost Ghosts" film. "Almost Ghosts," a Spaniard-directed film that won the Best Documentary award during the Arizona International Film Festival earlier this year, will be screened this fall in several historic theaters along Route 66. The film's makers interviewed Angel Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona; Harley Russell of Erick, Oklahoma; … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary to screen this fall in historic theaters along Route 66
Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday
David "Windy City Road Warrior" Clark will give a presentation about infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and his links to Route 66 as part of The Mill Museum's 90th-anniversary celebration Saturday. David Clark in his Al Capone persona. Clark will give his "Al Capone and the Route 66 Connection" presentation from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. … Continue reading Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday
Making a miniature version of Sun ‘n Sand Motel sign in Santa Rosa
Chris Raley of Fresno, California, is an apparent aficionado of old-time neon signs, so he makes miniature versions of them. Here's a speeded-up time-lapse video that shows how he built a second larger (but still miniature) version of the Sun 'n Sand Motel sign that still stands along Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, … Continue reading Making a miniature version of Sun ‘n Sand Motel sign in Santa Rosa
St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
DeWayne Landwehr, 74, a native of St. Clair, Missouri, recently published a book about his experiences as a teen employee at a 1950s service station along Route 66. Landwehr, who now lives in Indiana, wrote: “Will That Be Regular or Ethyl?” According to a story in the Washington Missourian, he said his father owned St. … Continue reading St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
Elmer Long, the eccentric creator of the beloved Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. He was 72. Kelly Donovan, an administrator of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch page on Facebook, announced Long's death during a post on the page Friday afternoon. No obituary … Continue reading Elmer Long, creator of Bottle Tree Ranch, dies
Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived
Less than a month after the Meltdown Diner in southwest Tulsa closed, it reopened again with a slightly modified name. Owner Jim Hardcastle, citing his desire to spend more time with his father and grandsons, announced he would close Meltdown Diner on May 25. The restaurant, which specialized mainly in grilled-cheese sandwiches, had been operating … Continue reading Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived