Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin this week signed her first bill of the 2016 state legislative session, which was to transfer the Will Rogers Memorial Commission into the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was a move that was sought for years and supported by both organizations. Tad Jones, director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, explained a few … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum merged into Oklahoma Historical Society
Category: People
Tulsa lands Bob Dylan archive
A few years ago, Tulsa was lucky enough to acquire the archive of folk-music legend Woody Guthrie. So it seems natural Tulsa also would acquire the archive of music legend Bob Dylan, who began his career as a Woody Guthrie disciple. The New York Times got the scoop this week of the Tulsa-based George Kaiser … Continue reading Tulsa lands Bob Dylan archive
Aubrey McClendon, owner of Pops, dies in car crash
Aubrey McClendon, best known as the former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp. but known to Route 66 fans as owner of the landmark Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma, died in a fiery highway crash in Oklahoma City on Wednesday -- one day after he was federally indicted in an alleged bid-rigging scheme. He was 56. The Oklahoman … Continue reading Aubrey McClendon, owner of Pops, dies in car crash
Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
A poor shoeshine boy who took coins from a wishing well at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles returned to the restaurant many decades later to repay it "with interest." The LAist got the scoop on this remarkable story about Willie Gordon, who later became a successful attorney and detective novelist and married another author, … Continue reading Man returns coins he stole from Clifton’s Cafeteria 70 years later
The curse of Grants uranium mines
The nonprofit magazine In These Times recently published an in-depth article about uranium miners in the Route 66 town of Grants, New Mexico. The mines operated in Grants and Church Rock, New Mexico, from the 1950s to the 1980s. Many miners contracted cancer and other diseases from radiation exposure. The federal government under the Radiation … Continue reading The curse of Grants uranium mines
The saint of ANEW Living
Nearly a year ago, we reported about ANEW Living, which was converting a run-down Route 66 motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, into temporary, affordable rental housing to those who are homeless. The former 66 Motel offers single rooms or studios for $600 to $800 a month, with a $10-a-month fee for Internet. More about ANEW's mission: ANEW Living … Continue reading The saint of ANEW Living
The ghosts of Tom Joad
Below the new and idyllic Route 66 Roadside Park in Springfield, Missouri, a campground for the homeless has sprung up in recent months. KYTV in Springfield talked to Heather Cooper, one of the homeless there: "I have post traumatic stress disorder with traumatic nightmares. I've got stage one bipolar, stage one manic depressive illness, which is … Continue reading The ghosts of Tom Joad
A chat with Dries Bessels
KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series released its latest clip, an interview with Dries Bessels. Bessels co-founded the Dutch Route 66 Association in the Netherlands and guides motorcycle tours down Route 66 annually. https://youtu.be/gAB19-HYuSY It probably is safe to say Bessels has the most interesting footwear on Route 66, as well.
A history of The Tropics restaurant
Tami Goodrich, whose family owned The Tropics in Lincoln, Illinois, for 40 years, recently gave a presentation that delved deep into the history of the Route 66 restaurant. The New Herald News published a long article about Goodrich's presentation at the Palms Cafe Grill in Atlanta, Illinois, including a slide show. Many people already know … Continue reading A history of The Tropics restaurant
An interview with Laurel Kane
In 2012, Afton Station matriarch Laurel Kane was interviewed by Simon Cantlon and Justin Nathanson for their "Motels on Route 66" documentary film. The duo still are working on their movie. However, with the announcement of Kane's death last week, they decided to quickly edit that footage and release to the world. "We are deeply saddened … Continue reading An interview with Laurel Kane