Bob Russell, the mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, known for greeting arriving busloads of Route 66 tourists in his city's downtown, will voluntarily step down from his position on July 31. Russell, nicknamed by some as the "Mayor of Route 66," announced his impending departure during a city council meeting this week. According to the Bloomington … Continue reading Route 66 tourist-greeting mayor of Pontiac to resign at end of month
Category: People
Matriarch of Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center dies
Martha Jackson, a key figure in the construction of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center in Litchfield, Illinois, died last week after an extended illness. She was 87. Jackson had been in a nursing home in nearby Gillespie, Illinois. Her visitation and funeral will be next week. Here's the key excerpt from the … Continue reading Matriarch of Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center dies
New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants to put a Route 66-related business there but is unsure what type. So he's appealing to the Route 66 community for ideas. Louis Cox, a retired 22-year Army veteran from nearby Ketchum, Oklahoma, purchased the former gas station for $72,000 during an auction Saturday where … Continue reading New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
Grassroots Baseball tour looking for obscure baseball sites on Route 66
The Grassroots Baseball tour this summer needs suggestions on less well-known baseball sites on or near Route 66. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is helping the soon-to-retire Baseball Hall of Fame president, Jeff Idelson, and photographer Jean Fruth as they explore Route 66. According to the partnership: “We are looking for kids, adults, stickball … Continue reading Grassroots Baseball tour looking for obscure baseball sites on Route 66
Cartoonist to publish graphic novel about Route 66 journey
Award-winning cartoonist Shing Yin Khor in August will publish a 160-page graphic memoir about her experiences during a journey on Route 66. The main title is "The American Dream?" with the subtitle "A Journey on Route 66 Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler Men and the Perfect Breakfast Burrito." Khor grew up in Malaysia and held different … Continue reading Cartoonist to publish graphic novel about Route 66 journey
Living Kitchen Farm gets attention from Oklahoma’s tourism magazine
Thanks to a new story in Oklahoma's official tourism publication, a bunch of folks are learning what a growing number of people in the northeastern part of the state already knew -- Living Kitchen Farm & Dairy not only is one of the best places to eat in the Sooner State, but all of Route … Continue reading Living Kitchen Farm gets attention from Oklahoma’s tourism magazine
Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
The historic and celebrity-laden Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California, officially will reopen June 28 after two years and $2.4 million worth of renovations. The Hollywood Reporter reports the revamp will "make it look almost exactly the same" from before its closing. More from the exclusive report, which included a sneak peek of the interior: … Continue reading Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
Storm-damaged Mutts restaurant operator seeks a second chance
The operator of Mutts in Oklahoma City is seeking a second chance -- much like the second chance he's given his employees -- after a storm damaged the restaurant a few weeks ago. The Oklahoman newspaper reports Mutts owner Omar Molina has been busy cleaning the property at 1400 NW 23rd St. (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Storm-damaged Mutts restaurant operator seeks a second chance
A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
If you have about a half-hour to spare, I urge you to watch this entertaining featurette about Pixar's research of Route 66 before the animation studio released the "Cars" movie in 2006. "Cars" director John Lasseter explains what happened during that road trip, and "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis -- later to … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
A new video about Amboy Crater
A couple that runs the Oddity Odysseys channel on YouTube recently explored Amboy Crater, the dormant volcano just off Route 66 near Amboy, California. They lucked out in one way: They climbed into the cinder cone during a semi-cloudy day, which blunted the Mojave Desert's brutal sun considerably. It helps they also carried with plenty … Continue reading A new video about Amboy Crater