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
Category: People
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
Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Laurel Kane, 69, matriarch of the Afton Station visitors center on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, died Thursday from a short illness as the result of a fall at her home in Tulsa earlier in the week, according to her former husband, David Kane. David Kane said by phone Laurel died peacefully with him, her daughter and longtime … Continue reading Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
I missed this when it was announced last week, but a Pixar animator now is an Academy Award nominee because of his short film, inspired by his childhood at a Route 66 motel in California. Sanjay Patel, with producer Nicole Grindle, were nominated for an Oscar in the short film (animated) category for "Sanjay's Super Team." Here's a synopsis … Continue reading Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Terri Ryburn, who's owned the Sprague Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, for almost 10 years and has spent all that time getting the historic property shored up, will open a Route 66 gift shop and visitors center on the premises this spring. This little tidbit was revealed during a recent blog post for the … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow
About 200 people attended a memorial service Tuesday night at Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, for The Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, who died at age 67 on Monday from several illnesses. The Associated Press reported that Winslow residents, including Tom McCauley, staged the memorial at the corner made famous by the 1972 … Continue reading Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow
“Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
There's a little corner in Winslow, Arizona, that's a sadder sight to see Glenn Frey, a co-founder of the mega-selling country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer of one of its early hits, "Take It Easy," that made the Route 66 town internationally famous, died Monday at age 67 after suffering from several ailments for weeks. Frey … Continue reading “Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
Former co-owner of Blue Swallow Motel dies
Dale Bakke, a co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, during a crucial time for the Route 66 landmark's preservation, died Jan. 4, a month short of his 61st birthday. Dale Bakke and his wife, Hilda, bought the motel in 1999, not long after owner Gene Shelton bought it from its longtime matriarch, Lillian Redman. … Continue reading Former co-owner of Blue Swallow Motel dies
This shows why black people aren’t nostalgic about Route 66
Interest in the history of Route 66 largely is fueled by the memories of people who traveled the Mother Road from 1946 to the mid-1960s. It's nostalgia. Black people don't share nostalgia as enthusiastically. I surmised it was because Jim Crow laws kept African-Americans at least uncomfortable or, at worst, fearful for their lives until the civil-rights … Continue reading This shows why black people aren’t nostalgic about Route 66
Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route
Melba Rigg, one of the original four women of the 4 Women on the Route station in Galena, Kansas, before its name changed to Cars on the Route, announced her retirement over the weekend. Rigg wrote on a Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/melba.rigg/posts/944043785674648 This video by KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series interviewed Rigg couple … Continue reading Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route