Jensen's Point lookout along Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, is slated to reopen in February. The site's readiness for visitors took a big step last weekend after three dozen volunteers -- mostly from the Ozark Trails Association -- cleared brush, trimmed branches and removed trash from along the steps and slope to the lookout area. As part of … Continue reading Jensen’s Point spruced up by volunteers
Category: Preservation
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is sold
The World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois, has been sold, but the new owner's plans for the landmark remain unclear. The Belleville News-Democrat reported Franklin “Al” Bieri, owner of Mississippi River Construction Co. of O'Fallon, Illinois, announced his purchase of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, which actually is a 170-foot-tall water tower painted to resemble a Brooks … Continue reading World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is sold
Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
If you're in the Tulsa area Friday, you may want to make your way to the Route 66 Village on the southwest part of town and check out the Christmas lighting of its big steam locomotive at 6 p.m. City councilor Jeannie Cue also said Santa Claus will be at the Route 66 Village from 5:30 … Continue reading Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
The restoration of the one-room schoolhouse in the Route 66 hamlet of Phelps, Missouri, marked a milestone Friday by reinstalling the bell tower and bell on the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. The nonprofit Phelps School Community Center started its efforts about a year ago to restore the dilapidated but cherished building, which sits … Continue reading Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
Construction on El Vado project will begin by summer
The long-awaited redevelopment project for the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will begin by summer, reported KOAT-TV, citing sources with the city. The plan is to turn part of it into a boutique motel with an amphitheater, a pool, shops and a food court. Construction for an affordable apartment building next door will begin … Continue reading Construction on El Vado project will begin by summer
“Route 66 in Illinois”
The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
“Route 66 as Seen Through Europeans”
Tourism directors and businesses on Route 66 want to draw more European travelers but aren't sure how to do so. So who better to give advice than a European who's a longtime Route 66 fan? Swa Frantzen of Belgium fit the bill during his presentation at the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, on Oct. … Continue reading “Route 66 as Seen Through Europeans”
A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted this video about the late Bob Waldmire's school bus that Waldmire converted into living quarters years ago. After Waldmire's death from cancer in 2009, the bus was parked at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac to be permanently displayed. Museum curator John Wille gives the lowdown … Continue reading A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Nearly 30 head of native bison were reintroduced this week to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie along Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois -- the first time buffalo have roamed in that area in nearly two centuries. Bison were exterminated by the 1830s in northern Illinois, and the animals were hunted to near-extinction in the United … Continue reading Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie