Ron Burden, one of the founders of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and a former president of the group for four years, died Dec. 14. He was 72. Burden, who grew up in Tulsa, spent much of his adult years in the Route 66 town of Davenport, Oklahoma, and co-founded the Central Oklahoma Federal Credit Union … Continue reading Co-founder of Oklahoma Route 66 Association dies
Category: People
Roger Miller Museum soon will close its doors for good
The Roger Miller Museum, dedicated to the country-music star of the 1960s and '70s who hailed from Erick, Oklahoma, will close its doors for good later this week because of financial difficulties. The Beckham County Record, citing museum trustee Retta Snowden, reported the imminent closing last week. The museum sits on the corner of Sheb Wooley … Continue reading Roger Miller Museum soon will close its doors for good
New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area
A variety of dignitaries on Monday dedicated a new historical marker for famed union activist Mother Jones and coal-miners' union movement at the southbound Interstate 55 Coalfield rest area south of Springfield, Illinois. In addition, Ireland’s consul general to Chicago and the Midwest participated in a wreath-laying ceremony that day at the Mother Jones Monument, … Continue reading New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area
Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66
Marty Hall has spent decades working at not one, but two notable restaurants along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, that specialize in fried onion burgers. Hall has owned Sid's Diner since 1989. Before that, he began his restaurant career barely in his teens at Johnnie's Grill, also on Route 66 in El Reno. All … Continue reading Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66
Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Cherokee Nation and city officials on Tuesday dedicated a mural commemorating artisan Anna Belle Sixkiller Mitchell, known as a Cherokee National Treasure, in downtown Vinita, Oklahoma, along Route 66. Mitchell, who lived in Vinita, was designated as a Cherokee National Treasure in 1988 for reviving traditional pottery methods and sharing her skill with others, according to a news … Continue reading Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita
Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Sue Blesi, a historian, dug up the bizarre story of a man who was buried alive for a week in a pit with poisonous snakes and an alligator to draw visitors to the Silver Star Court motel and restaurant on Route 66 near St. Clair, Missouri. Blesi, who recounted the tale in the Washington Missourian … Continue reading Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66
Johnny Hallyday, ‘the Elvis of France’ and a Route 66 fan, dies
Johnny Hallyday, long known as "the Elvis of France," died Wednesday at age 74, according to many news outlets. A cause of death wasn't reported, but he'd been diagnosed with lung cancer in March. Hallyday also was a big Route 66 fan. More on that in a moment. Hallyday, born Jean-Philippe Leo Smet in Paris, sold … Continue reading Johnny Hallyday, ‘the Elvis of France’ and a Route 66 fan, dies
Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners
The co-owners of the Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, on Tuesday said they have accepted an offer from at least two people to buy the restaurant, with the sale anticipated to close in the early spring. Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, made the announcement on the restaurant's Facebook page. They declined … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop likely has new owners
Man plans to drive 1918 Dodge the length of Route 66 next year
A California man plans to drive his restored 1918 Dodge car on Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles next year, accompanied by his three sons. It's not the first time a century-old car has traversed Route 66 -- several during The Big Race in 2015 did it. But it's rare, and it takes commitment … Continue reading Man plans to drive 1918 Dodge the length of Route 66 next year
Longtime Oklahoma Route 66 booster Frank Gierhart dies
Frank Gierhart, a longtime supporter of Route 66 and former owner of a business on the Mother Road in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, died Thursday in Claremore, Oklahoma. He was 81. Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Green Hill Funeral Home in Sapulpa, according to an obituary in the Tulsa World. The funeral will … Continue reading Longtime Oklahoma Route 66 booster Frank Gierhart dies