The Oklahoma Route 66 Association last weekend marked the 90th anniversary of the transcontinental Bunion Derby footrace, with several descendants of winner Andy Payne at the commemoration. The association marked the 1928 footrace that traversed Los Angeles to New York City, including a fledgling U.S. 66, by carrying a commemorative plaque during a motorized relay … Continue reading Oklahoma marks 90th anniversary of Bunion Derby
Category: People
Man plans to dance the length of Route 66 for charity
An Englishman plans to dance the length of Route 66 and beyond in America to raise money for a charity that fights slavery and human trafficking. Ben Hammond, 40, aka Planet Dancer, is a lecturer and teacher at UCL Institute of Education in London. He began his journey March 28 from the Santa Monica Pier … Continue reading Man plans to dance the length of Route 66 for charity
FFA students create Route 66 sculpture for Riverton
FFA students in Riverton, Kansas, recently finished a 20-foot-tall steel sculpture of a Route 66 shield that will go up on the Mother Road this year. According to the Joplin Globe: FFA adviser Jacob Larison said that his students came up with the idea about two years ago with the aim of bolstering the community. … Continue reading FFA students create Route 66 sculpture for Riverton
Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close
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
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