A few weeks ago, while geocaching near Route 66 in Riverton, Kan., we found out about the strange story of May D. Knotts. According to a geocaching site, May D. Knotts was said to have been hanged from an old oak tree in 1904 after it was discovered that she was a witch. Knotts, who … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Restaurants
A glimpse of the past
Here's a television commercial for the Spring River Inn, off old Route 66 in Riverton, Kan. The once-popular restaurant closed in 1996 and burned down in 1998. The only evidence of its existence is a now-decrepit neon sign near the former entrance.
Neon Chicago
Time Out Chicago has produced a list of the 24 best neon signs in Chicagoland, and one Route 66 restaurant made the list. Even better, the article includes 44 photos of noteworthy neon signs in the Windy City. The Mother Road business that made the list was Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook: The Chicken … Continue reading Neon Chicago
Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies
Bob Hastert, the longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant just off Route 66 in Romeoville, Ill., died at age 73 on Wednesday, according to the Bolingbrook Sun. For much of his life, Hastert run the business that often served hundreds of customers its famous fried chicken at any one time on the weekends. In … Continue reading Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies
A pit stop for foreign travelers
The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Independent posted a story about the Bagdad Cafe along Route 66 in Newberry Springs, Calif. I knew that the little restaurant has become a big draw from foreign travelers, but this is astounding: “We had 13 tour buses here one day last week and five buses yesterday,” owner Andree (She’s also … Continue reading A pit stop for foreign travelers
From the scene of the fire
Someone went beyond the police tape to videotape the remains of the Riviera Roadhouse restaurant on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., which was destroyed by suspicious fire a few days ago. You'll also see brief footage of the Streetcar Diner, which was spared.
Riviera Roadhouse destroyed by fire
The historic Riviera Roadhouse on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., was destroyed by fire Tuesday night and is still burning, according to an e-mail I received from the editor of The Braidwood Journal. The historic Route 66 restaurant and lounge was owned and operated for decades by Bob and Peggy Kraft until the two retired … Continue reading Riviera Roadhouse destroyed by fire
Notes from the road
(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road
Classic images
See scenes from Route 66 and images of classic vehicles during this video taken during an AIDS benefit at the original Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif.
Topock Marina will be replaced this fall
The Topock Marina on Old Route 66 in Topock, Ariz., will be replaced with a $14 million, 102-room hotel, spa, nightclub, microbrewery, restaurant, and conference center starting this fall, owner Chet Hitt told the Mojave Daily News. Based on the new website, it will be rechristened as Topock 66 Spa & Resort. Hitt plans to make … Continue reading Topock Marina will be replaced this fall