Sean Hong, co-owner of irv's Burgers in West Hollywood, California, died Sept. 3 of an unexpected medical issue. The death led to the temporary closing of the Route 66 restaurant until Sept. 25, according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page. Hong's private funeral is Thursday. WeHoville.com reported: A sign posted on the door … Continue reading Co-owner of Irv’s Burgers in West Hollywood dies
Category: People
Angel Delgadillo appears in “We Blew It” documentary
Angel Delgadillo, known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66, makes a prominent appearance in the French-directed documentary "We Blew It," that examines the long-lasting effects of the turbulent 1960s. "We Blew It," directed by Jean-Baptiste Thoret, gets its title from a line uttered by Peter Fonda near the end of the now-classic 1969 counterculture film … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo appears in “We Blew It” documentary
Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register
Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell, recently earned a designation to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Sept. 8, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. It had been widely expected after its National Register submission to Washington … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register
U.S. senator who shepherded Route 66 legislation dies
Former longtime U.S. senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, who introduced and shepherded several key pieces of Route 66 legislation, died Wednesday in Albuquerque after setbacks from abdominal surgery. He was 85. Several obituaries about the six-term Republican lauded him for his bipartisanship and his mastery of budget, tax and energy issues until he retired … Continue reading U.S. senator who shepherded Route 66 legislation dies
Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma
Two Route 66 towns in Oklahoma are hosting lectures and screenings from Katrina Parks' "The Women of the Mother Road" website and film documentary project this month. This first will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Carriage House in the Overholser Mansion at 405 NW 15th St. in Oklahoma City (map here). The … Continue reading Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma
Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
Chick Kirk, 87, a longtime volunteer who greeted thousands of tourists at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville over the years, died Aug. 27. Kirk, whose real name was Charlotte, and fellow longtime volunteer Betty Halbe worked side by side at the museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. Together, Chick Kirk and Halbe were … Continue reading Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
Ron “Tattoo Man” Jones is up to 162 skin markings
Someone a few weeks ago asked how many Route 66 tattoos were on the body of Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I said it was north of 100 but had no certainty, because Jones was liable to add one any given weekend. KTUL-TV in Tulsa caught up with Jones this week when he … Continue reading Ron “Tattoo Man” Jones is up to 162 skin markings
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced its annual cost-share grant awards, with seven grants totaling $98,137. This year's grant awards are remarkable in their breadth, including neon-sign restorations, oral-history projects, a full assessment of Route 66's bridges, a historic-property database, an educational websites and a documentary film. Since 2001, the program has … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants
Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers
The owner of Cool Springs Camp, on Oatman Road, aka old Route 66, between Oatman and Kingman, Arizona, needs a caretaker to look over the historic property. Owner Ned Leutchner said one caretaker he enlisted early last year is moving to Colorado to set up a Wounded Warrior retreat, and another is moving on to … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers
Ryburn Place in Normal opens to the public
Ryburn Place, aka Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, held its grand opening Saturday after a multi-year restoration of the historic Route 66 site. Ryburn Place is named after Route 66 enthusiast Terri Ryburn, who owned the site for years and shepherded its renovations. Here is video of the site's sign reveal: And here … Continue reading Ryburn Place in Normal opens to the public