As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Patrick Rhea tells about the lengthy history of Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Ill. https://youtu.be/aXFVofQLp0Y The Chicken Basket's been in business for about 70 years, and remains prosperous.
Category: People
California broadcaster Huell Howser dies
https://youtu.be/Je9gi6b0ZRI Huell Howser, an nontraditional, enthusiastic, and even folksy host who became a legend in California television, died Sunday at age 67 after a long illness, according to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets. Howser, a Tennessee native, hosted "California's Gold" and other programs that highlighted the characters and off-the-beaten-path locales of California. This description by … Continue reading California broadcaster Huell Howser dies
Memories at Jubelt’s Bakery
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Jeanmarie Jubelt tells about the long and tangled history of Jubelt's bakery and restaurant in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/wtyC9jWWci8 Jubelt's has sat on Route 66 in Litchfield for more than 30 years. But its history dates to 1922 in nearby Mount Olive -- also a Route 66 town.
Memories of patrolling Route 66
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, former state trooper Chester Henry tells about his decades of patrolling the Mother Road near Pontiac, Ill. https://youtu.be/SmxJQs8wJA0 Henry was based out of Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66, which featured an Art Deco building that sort of looked like a upside-down pistol. The building is empty … Continue reading Memories of patrolling Route 66
Memories of the Sky View Drive-In
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Walter "Chick" Bishop tells about the many fun things that have happened through the years at the Sky View Drive-In theater on Route 66 in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/HCmo_ptnTu0 The Sky View is still operating, as it has since 1950.
Memories of the Arrow / Strufe Motel
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week posted more "Route 66 Stories" videos. This one features Fred Strufe, whose family ran the Arrow / Strufe Motel in Dwight, Ill., for many years. Strufe packed in a slew of fascinating stories, including a hilarious one about a honeymooning couple, in five minutes: https://youtu.be/jjo8Xha6K7Y The Strufe … Continue reading Memories of the Arrow / Strufe Motel
Patti Page, famed singer and Route 66 native, dies at 85
https://youtu.be/_Ek3eCbfqp0 Patti Page, an Oklahoma-born singer whose greatest claim to fame was her massively popular "Tennessee Waltz" song from 1950, died Tuesday in California at age 85, reported the Tulsa World and many other media outlets. I'll let other obituaries detail Page's amazing music career, which included more than 100 million records sold. But it … Continue reading Patti Page, famed singer and Route 66 native, dies at 85
Route 66 in a hand bike
Longtime readers may remember Norberto de Angelis. The Italy native was a football player who became paralyzed in a car accident. After his recovery, he decided to pedal the length of Route 66 in 2009 using a specially equipped hand bicycle. This 26-minute video documents his journey. The narration is in Italian, but it should be … Continue reading Route 66 in a hand bike
Seligman Sundries’ Year in Review
The good folks at Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Ariz., put together this "Year in Review" video of some of the tourists who visited. Disclosure: I make an appearance in the film. Think tie-dye. https://youtu.be/5N1e7q4DypA Music is The Road Crew, doing their version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66." You can download the song here for … Continue reading Seligman Sundries’ Year in Review
Big Red at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch dies
Big Red, a long-eared mascot at Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Ill., died in his sleep late Wednesday or early Thursday, reported his owner Rich Henry on the Route 66 yahoo group. Henry wrote: He was the perfect image of health. Tuesday afternoon, during his annual comprehensive exam, received a clean bill of health. Yesterday … Continue reading Big Red at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch dies