A lot of Route 66 folks know of Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, that served as the direct inspiration to the Tow Mater character in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars." But barely 15 miles east in Carterville, Missouri, also on Route 66, sits another rusty tow truck that … Continue reading Tow Tater, aka Tow Mater, has a competitor in Missouri Mater
Category: People
Scenes from the Best of the West on 66 Fest Parade
Frank Kocevar, former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, recently uploaded this from the Best of the West of 66 Fest in Kingman, Arizona. Grand marshals for the parade were Dries Bessels and Marion Flimm of the Dutch Route 66 Association. Music for the video is "Kings of Kingman" by The Road Crew. … Continue reading Scenes from the Best of the West on 66 Fest Parade
A tragedy on Route 66 in 1968
I stumbled onto this recent video about a car accident in October 1968 that killed four teenagers on Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Fontana, California.. Two other teens died on Foothill in other accidents the same weekend. https://youtu.be/4FSmC_wKMx8 The video isn't shot by a professional, so you'll have shakiness and typical other things from … Continue reading A tragedy on Route 66 in 1968
Co-creator of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner dies
Roy Dunton, a longtime Route 66 resident who with his son built Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner and a slew of automotive businesses in Kingman, Arizona, died last week at age 95. According to an obituary in the Kingman Daily Miner, Roy and Scott Dunton built and leased out Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner, a … Continue reading Co-creator of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner dies
The Mill likely will reopen as a museum by April
The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, likely will reopen as an area history museum in April after almost 10 years of restoration work on the Route 66 landmark. The Springfield State Journal-Register published a detailed story about The Mill and the plans for it. A $10,720 cost-share grant recently awarded by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program … Continue reading The Mill likely will reopen as a museum by April
Book review: “John T. Woodruff”
Cyrus Avery of Tulsa is known worldwide as the "Father of Route 66." Springfield, Missouri, is known as the "Birthplace of Route 66." John Woodruff never earned a tagline with his name. But a new book leaves little doubt he played a crucial role in developing Route 66 and Springfield. Thomas A. Peters' book is titled "John T. Woodruff" … Continue reading Book review: “John T. Woodruff”
A concise history of Ash Fork
Marshall Trimble, who's been designated Arizona's official state historian, appears in this 2 1/2-minute video about the Route 66 town of Ash Fork, Arizona, for the Ash Fork Historical Society and Museum. And because Trimble grew up in Ash Fork, who better to tell the town's story? Ash Fork, Arizona with Marshall Trimble from Route … Continue reading A concise history of Ash Fork
City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires
The city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and six of its cops recently were slapped with a lawsuit over a former fellow police officer who ended up in prison for torching a closed Route 66 motel and an abandoned house. Courthouse News Service reports the plaintiffs allege nepotism and a lack of screening while hiring now-disgraced officer Dustin Lopez, … Continue reading City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires
Glenn Frey tribute statue will be installed Sept. 23 in Winslow
A tribute statue of Glenn Frey, co-writer of The Eagles' song "Take It Easy," will be installed at noon Friday, Sept. 23, at Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona. KSLX classic-rock radio in Phoenix announced Tuesday the installation, which will occur at the first day of the annual Standin' on the Corner Festival. The station's morning team, “Mark … Continue reading Glenn Frey tribute statue will be installed Sept. 23 in Winslow
Grand Canyon Cafe soon will change hands
The Grand Canyon Cafe, owned by the same family for more than 70 years, soon will change hands to a group of five investors from Flagstaff, Arizona. The Arizona Daily Sun reports longtime managers Fred and Tina Wong soon will retire after running the Route 66 restaurant since 1980. Wong's family has owned the Flagstaff eatery … Continue reading Grand Canyon Cafe soon will change hands