The Ramada Kingman hotel and its Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge in Kingman, Arizona, abruptly closed this week amid allegations of unpaid contractor bills and stiffed employees. It was the second high-profile lodging establishment to close in Kingman in less than six months. The historic Hill Top Motel closed late last year after being foreclosed. … Continue reading Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close
Category: People
Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Helen Frances Schwenoha, co-founder of now-defunct but fondly remembered The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, died Feb. 28 at age 95 in Los Osos, California. The San Luis Obispo Tribune published an obituary on Schwenoha on March 18. Schwenoha was born in Augusta, Illinois, to John Bradford and Mary Grace Compton. She married Vincent John Schwenoha in … Continue reading Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA
Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road" and other best-selling books, this week reprised what probably remains his best-known role -- the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" animated movies -- for a video about the dangers of texting and driving. The video was shot with a replica of a 1949 … Continue reading Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA
Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
The landmark Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, will hold its grand reopening for the season March 28 with its new owners, Brenda Hammit and Carrie O'Leary. According to a post Thursday on the restaurant's Facebook page, Hammit had worked at the Route 66 landmark for five years. Her sister, O'Leary, recently relocated … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman greets 2 millionth visitor
The Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, celebrated its 2 millionth visitor since opening in 1997 by giving the winning Michigan couple a gift basket worth $400. The Kingman Daily Miner reported Tom and Lisa Maletic were there Tuesday afternoon to visit the center's Route 66 Museum. Tom said he wanted to see the museum's “The … Continue reading Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman greets 2 millionth visitor
Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Fran Houser, former longtime owner of the landmark Midpoint Cafe and current owner of the nearby Sunflower Station in Adrian, Texas, is running for mayor in the tiny Texas Panhandle town. Houser filed for candidacy two weeks ago, but her campaign got a boost Thursday with a semi-viral video from a local woman on Facebook. … Continue reading Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
The Trail of Tears Memorial and Herbal Garden near Jerome, Missouri, will hold its grand reopening at 1 p.m. April 22, which is Earth Day. The Facebook page for the garden announced the event Tuesday. A ribbon-cutting will occur in front of the grounds' famed entrance arch that day, before the artwork-festooned trail opens to … Continue reading Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
In the last few days, I've perused a book titled "Quay County, New Mexico, 1903-1985." It contains hundreds of stories and photos from the region, including the Route 66 towns of Endee, Bard, San Jon, Tucumcari, Polomas and Montoya. The book, edited by Mary Lynn Moncus and Marian Farmer Knapp, contains nearly 800 pages of … Continue reading Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66
The husband of a Pennsylvania woman who instantly became a millionaire because she won a Publishers Clearing House prize said they would travel Route 66 in the wake of having all that extra money. Jo-Ann Snyder, 72, of Wilkes-Barre Township, on Friday won Publishers Clearing House's $5,000 A Week “Forever” Prize — $5,000 a week for … Continue reading Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66
Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers
The Rocking Chair Restaurant in Conway, Missouri, recently was honored for helping travelers affected by a horrific chain-reaction crash on Interstate 44 during a winter storm. The Conway Betterment League bestowed the Route 66 established its first Business of the Month award. KSPR-TV filed this story. Included is footage of a woman who barely escaped injury … Continue reading Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers