Famous folk artist Lowell Davis recently unveiled a new sculpture on the northeast side of Carthage, Missouri, along Route 66. The Carthage Press reported the sculpture is at 125 N. River St., near Missouri 96 (aka Route 66): The creation includes a road grader from the late 1800s with a pair of signature Lowell Davis … Continue reading Lowell Davis creates new sculpture on Route 66 in Carthage
Category: People
Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
A group of middle-school students from rural Iowa captured a national title for their Route 66 presentation during the annual National History Day contest in Maryland last week. Jack Anderson, Jader Briggs, Megan Swancutt, Daytona Foley and Logan Smith of Akron-Westfield Community School in Akron, Iowa, finished first place in the Junior Group Performance division at nationals with … Continue reading Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
Aubrey McClendon’s death ruled an accident
A medical examiner's report and an Oklahoma City Police investigation determined energy tycoon Aubrey McClendon's fatal crash in March was an accident and not suicide, as believed. McClendon was former CEO of Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City and built the popular Pops restaurant and convenience store on Route 66 in nearby Arcadia, Oklahoma. McClendon died in a fiery … Continue reading Aubrey McClendon’s death ruled an accident
One of the Whiting Brothers dies
Mickey Whiting, one of the men who helped run Whiting Bros. gas stations along Route 66 and the West for several decades and co-founder of Kaibab Industries, died at age 87 on June 2 at his home in Phoenix. An obituary in several newspapers contained this nugget of information: In 1952, Mickey was there at the very beginning, … Continue reading One of the Whiting Brothers dies
Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Michael Wallis, writer of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, will give a "State of the Mother Road" speech June 18 during the Vinita Route 66 Festival in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wallis long was known for his fiery "state of the road" speeches with his big, baritone voice during … Continue reading Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Women on the Mother Road website launched
Cinefemme and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Thursday the release of The Women on the Mother Road website and oral-history project. According to a news release from the corridor program: The Women On The Mother Road: Route 66 Web-site and Oral History Project, www.route66women.com, creates a public history record that sheds light on diverse women’s experiences … Continue reading Women on the Mother Road website launched
“Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary
Today marks 10 years since the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" that sparked a wave of new travelers on Route 66. The "Cars" movie grossed more than $460 million in worldwide box office receipts during the summer of 2006, with almost as much money from the international market as domestic. "Cars" has generated more than … Continue reading “Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary
Elvis sightings on Route 66
The Marshfield Mail in Missouri published an extensive listing of Elvis Presley sightings and shows in the Show-Me State in 1956 -- the year he came into national prominence. The future King of Rock 'n' Roll's tours brought him to a few Route 66 landmarks that year. According to the newspaper. --- "By May 1956, Elvis was … Continue reading Elvis sightings on Route 66
Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
As Memorial Day approaches, do yourself a favor and read this amazing story from the Chicago Tribune about a schoolteacher who guided his students to identify worn tombstones of once-forgotten Civil War soldiers at a cemetery overlooking Route 66 in Odell, Illinois. The Tribune also created a video about the Operation Gravestone project, which likely will make … Continue reading Class project helps identify Civil War tombstones in Odell cemetery
Reporter finishes walk on Oklahoma City’s Route 66
Brianna Bailey, a reporter for The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City, recently embarked on a walking journey of Route 66 in that city for a story and a series of blog posts. She finished recently, and the last story is here. Some takeaways: --- We learn the beloved Carlyle Motel sign was purchased by Donald … Continue reading Reporter finishes walk on Oklahoma City’s Route 66