A man who hails from the Launching Pad Drive-In's home base of Wilmington, Illinois, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to save its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant from possible destruction by its owner. The closed Route 66 restaurant's owner, Holly Barker, said on Twitter a few days ago she was putting the Gemini Giant up for … Continue reading Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition
Category: Restaurants
14 neon signs along Albuquerque’s Route 66 receive improvement grants
The City of Albuquerque announced it would award 14 grants totaling $432,000 to improve neon signs along the Route 66 corridor of Central Avenue. More than 25 grant applications were received. Listed below are the winners. A few will be familiar to veteran Route 66 travelers. 5501 Plaza, 5431 Central Ave. NW Americana Motel, 5908 … Continue reading 14 neon signs along Albuquerque’s Route 66 receive improvement grants
Sixty-year-old Mel-O-Cream Donuts shop in Lincoln moves to new location
The Mel-O-Cream Donuts shop that dated to 1964 and was located on Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, moved to a new location in town but away from the Mother Road. The Mel-O-Cream moved after making its last batch of doughnuts Sunday at 704 Keokuk St. (aka Route 66) to a newer, larger space at 227 … Continue reading Sixty-year-old Mel-O-Cream Donuts shop in Lincoln moves to new location
Missourinet interview delves into the history of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific
Missourinet with its regular Show Me Today segment recently interviewed Ryan Lowry, the chief curator of exhibits at the Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center in Pacific, Missouri. Lowry reveals a lot of history of the former Route 66 restaurant you might not have been aware of. The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor … Continue reading Missourinet interview delves into the history of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific
Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66
A few online sources claim Ernie Edwards (sometimes listed as "Earnie") of the Pig Hip Restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Illinois, was the inventor of his famous pig hip sandwiches. However, recent research effectively refutes that claim. First, a little background. Edwards ran what was the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell from 1937 until … Continue reading Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66
White Fence Farm Restaurant in Romeoville begins 70th year in business
The landmark Original White Fence Farm Restaurant along Route 66 in Romeoville, Illinois, earlier this month began its 70th year in business under the Hastert family, though its roots go back about a century. The original restaurant at 1376 Joliet Road (aka Route 66) and its three other locations in the Chicagoland area closed for … Continue reading White Fence Farm Restaurant in Romeoville begins 70th year in business
Papers of Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark are donated to OSU-Tulsa
The research materials of late Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark recently were donated to the Tulsa branch of Oklahoma State University. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post that Clark's papers were given by her family to the association several years ago. With the donation to OSU-Tulsa, the papers are now … Continue reading Papers of Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark are donated to OSU-Tulsa
Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
The Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau recently began a "Main Street of America" video series. The first video, which dropped in the last few days, features Doc's Just Off 66 soda fountain and restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois. The video's hosts, Kevin and Emily, are understandably agog at the historic memorabilia on display at … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges
Three people associated with the Oklahoma-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q chain, including the owner, were indicted by a multicounty grand jury on fraud charges over its operation of restaurants at state parks. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, restaurant owner Brent Swadley and two other company officers were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the state … Continue reading Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges
Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain
The fate of the distinctive sign for the now-demolished Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, remains uncertain, though the city manager said its likely home still would be the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, city manager Robert Johnston said he was hopeful the Glancy … Continue reading Future site of the Glancy Motel sign appears to be still uncertain