JFK cruised Route 66 in Albuquerque

KOB-TV in Albuquerque found a gentleman in town who used a home movie camera to document President John F. Kennedy and his motorcade going down Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in 1962. The footage had never been seen in public until now. https://youtu.be/9L91QhId0mY KOB's reporter, Chris Ramirez, wrote: The two minute silent film starts off … Continue reading JFK cruised Route 66 in Albuquerque

Lillian Redman’s benediction

Today would have been the 104th birthday of Lillian Redman, longtime owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. When she ran the motel, Redman provided each overnight guest a copy of a prayer for travelers. Videographer KC Keefer produced this new video about the prayer and Redman, with historic still photos of the … Continue reading Lillian Redman’s benediction

Owners of Highlander Motel commit suicide

The co-owners of the historic Highlander Motel on Route 66 in Williams, Ariz., committed suicide within days of each other last month, according to media reports in Europe. The husband-and-wife team of Alan Aernoudt and Sandra Driesse of Belgium bought the motel in March 2011. Once they moved there months later, they quickly went to work renovating … Continue reading Owners of Highlander Motel commit suicide

Biography about Cyrus Avery coming next year

Susan Croce Kelly, well-known among Route 66 fans for co-writing "Route 66: The Highway and Its People" with photographer Quinta Scott in 1988, will publish a biography about Cyrus Avery, the so-called Father of Route 66, in 2014. The Avery book will be published by University of Oklahoma Press. Asked to describe her forthcoming volume, Kelly wrote … Continue reading Biography about Cyrus Avery coming next year

“The Mayor of Route 66”

This charming video shows a lot of footage from Seligman, Ariz., but most of it concentrates on one of the town's native sons, Angel Delgadillo. https://youtu.be/0Kl6IiUFUpY Delgadillo sometimes is called "The Mayor of Route 66." Who am I to argue?

Palms Grill will close temporarily after Oct. 25

The historic Palms Grill Cafe on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Ill., will temporarily close after Oct. 25 because current manager Ronda McBride has contracted cancer and needs to focus on her health and treatments, according to a news release. The restaurant will be open for special occasions and periodic dinner programs by the Atlanta … Continue reading Palms Grill will close temporarily after Oct. 25

Route 66 in Amarillo

This segment about Route 66 in Amarillo stars Bob "Crocodile" Lile of Lile Art Gallery and a host of other people from that Texas Panhandle city. https://youtu.be/nBCbXJRSd4U The video was produced by Larry Lemmons and aired on KVII-TV in Amarillo on Thursday. Music is by The Road Crew.

Longevity on Route 66 runs in her family

Those familiar with the history of Route 66 know of the late Lucille Hamons and her Lucille's gas station near Hydro, Okla., that she ran for nearly 60 years. But you may not be familiar with one of Lucille's daughters, Delpha Dene Martin, who soon will enter her 50th year of running a business on … Continue reading Longevity on Route 66 runs in her family

Will Rogers Memorial Museum marks 75th anniversary

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Okla., is marking its 75th year this week. Rogers remains probably the most famous Oklahoman, despite nearly eight decades passing after his death in an Alaska plane crash. The "Diamond Jubilee" event is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the museum with performances by the Tulsa … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum marks 75th anniversary

A timely upload

The makers of the ongoing "Operation Route 66" documentary project posted eight minutes of the film just a few days ago. I've seen other parts of the film, but this is the most arresting: op rt 66 8min from Operation Route 66 on Vimeo. I'm not sure whether it's a coincidence the excerpt was posted … Continue reading A timely upload