This 28-minute video from "Illinois Stories," produced by PBS affiliate WSEC-TV in Springfield, takes you inside the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/Ho5G74b75ws If you're a little short on time, you can skip ahead to the six-minute mark and let Ariston Cafe owner Nick Adam guide you and the host … Continue reading A tour of the Litchfield Route 66 museum
Category: Restaurants
New miniature of the Bagdad Cafe
Take a close look at the above photos. Can you tell the real Bagdad Cafe near Newberry Springs, Calif., and the miniature replica? The second photo is the real McCoy. Willem Bor of the Netherlands has made amazingly detailed miniatures of Route 66 landmarks. The latest was the Bagdad Cafe, made famous by the European … Continue reading New miniature of the Bagdad Cafe
Topock 66 Spa and Resort holds a soft opening
After almost three years of planning and construction, the Topock 66 Spa and Resort in Topock, Ariz., opened for business July 19 at the old Topock Marina location, reported the Mohave Daily News. Owner Chet Hitt saved some relics from the old building and has collected other memorabilia to highlight the area’s connection with Route … Continue reading Topock 66 Spa and Resort holds a soft opening
Ted Drewes offers college money to its employees
I've been to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard dozens of times in St. Louis and I never knew it did this -- offers generous amounts of money for college to its employees. KTVI-TV in St. Louis has the story if you want to watch the video. The Route 66 landmark provides $2,000 each semester to employees … Continue reading Ted Drewes offers college money to its employees
New Berwyn business inspired by Route 66 trip
A toy and candy shop in Berwyn, Ill., exists because of the inspiration Route 66 gave to owner Tracy Balnis, according to a news release from the Berwyn Development Corp. Rissi's Old Time Candy & Toys, located on 6834 W. Windsor Ave. in Berwyn's Depot District less than a half-mile north of Ogden (Route 66), … Continue reading New Berwyn business inspired by Route 66 trip
Oatman Hotel is in the money
This video, shot over the Fourth of July holiday, shows all of the dollar bills affixed to the walls, ceilings, and whatever else is available at the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Ariz. According to the videographer, the total count of the bills was 62,000 about three years ago. There's little reason to doubt that: https://youtu.be/Yj507i5DnRI?t=13s … Continue reading Oatman Hotel is in the money
Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces
A previously unknown 20,000-gallon underground tank containing kerosene was dug up and removed from a park directly in front of the El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., a few days ago, reported the Mohave Daily News. Needles public works director Marc Richards explained how the tank was discovered: Richards said the tank was discovered while crew … Continue reading Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces
Joliet may balk at paying for repairs to Rich & Creamy stand
Even though the historic Rich & Creamy ice cream stand in Joliet, Ill., reportedly has a good business -- including Route 66 travelers from all over the globe -- the city manager is wary of the city paying for a new roof, said The Herald-News in Joliet. The City of Joliet bought the aging building about … Continue reading Joliet may balk at paying for repairs to Rich & Creamy stand
Birthday wishes, 2013
For the second straight year, here are Independence Day well-wishes to the United States from well-traveled customers at the Historic Seligman Sundries coffeehouse on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/bXRwbePnMN8 Seligman Sundries co-owner Frank Kocevar says the footage was shot during a one-week period. It’s another example of how much Route 66 fascinates foreign travelers.
The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Mark Brown at This Land Press wrote a long piece about the history and amazing consistency of Tulsa's first Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande, which still serves customers on 11th Street (aka Route 66) more than 60 years after it opened. The whole thing is worth reading, but here are a few nuggets from it: … Continue reading The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant