The McLean County, Illinois, board recently approved an engineering contract to build a 4.5-mile addition to a Route 66 bicycling trail south of Funks Grove. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the county was chosen to receive state funds for the Route 66 bike trail starting in McLean and ending at an existing trail near Funks Grove. … Continue reading County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove
Category: Restaurants
Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
The Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center, housed in a former Route 66 restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, will throw a long-awaited grand opening celebration on Aug. 26. The museum, visitors center and children's museum at 1047 E. Osage St. (aka Route 66) will hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. that day. Hours that … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center to hold its grand opening on Aug. 26
Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
Fred & Red's Chili in Joplin, Missouri, will mark its 100th year in business with a vintage car show, giveaways and other events on Sept. 23. The number of restaurants on Route 66 that have hit the 100-year mark likely can be counted on one hand. Ike's Chili in Tulsa comes to mind, as do … Continue reading Fred & Red’s Chili in Joplin to celebrate its centennial next month
‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita
What is Massachusetts' loss apparently is Oklahoma Route 66's gain. The Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, recently acquired the so-called "Big Indian" that stood outside the Native and Himalayan Views, formerly the Big Indian Shop, for nearly 50 years in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. According to the Greenfield Recorder, the 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue was the subject … Continue reading ‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita
Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Whisler's Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage, Missouri, this year has entered into the rarified air of marking its 70th anniversary. The eatery at 300 N. Garrison Ave. sits on an alignment of Route 66 on the north side of town, before it was decommissioned in that area in 1972. Joplin Globe food columnist Cheryle Finley recently … Continue reading Whisler’s Drive-Up restaurant in Carthage celebrating its 70th year in business
Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Granny Shaffer's Family Restaurant, which serves a popular dish from another historic restaurant in southwest Missouri, recently marked its 50th year in business in Joplin. The restaurant sits at 2728 N. Range Line Road, which is bypass U.S. 66 alignment from 1956 to 1972. According to the Joplin Globe: Pies, one of its top-selling items, … Continue reading Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant in Joplin marks its 50th year
Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance
The Clinton, Oklahoma, City Council a few days ago approved a demolition bid to tear down the Glancy Motel as expected, but not without hearing an earful from a few preservationists. The motel will make way for a new headquarters for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Accepting the demo bid was recommended just days before by … Continue reading Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance
Newspaper talks to longtime owner of the doomed Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge
If you have a few minutes, read this long feature in the Washington Missourian about L.B. Eckelkamp Jr., the longtime owner of the Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri. The Diamond Inn, which turned 50 years old not long ago, probably will be torn down by the time you read this. Ultimately, the motel, … Continue reading Newspaper talks to longtime owner of the doomed Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge
Owner of Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa arrested on felony theft charges
The owner of the landmark Tally's Good Food Cafe along Route 66 in Tulsa was arrested on multiple counts of felony larceny after being accused of shoplifting a total of 31 times. KRMG Radio in Tulsa reported that Talal "Tally" Jamil Alame was arrested at his restaurant on Friday. He was freed on bond hours … Continue reading Owner of Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa arrested on felony theft charges
918 Coffee in Tulsa closes due to owners’ retirement
918 Coffee, known for repurposing a vintage gas station along Route 66 in Tulsa, closed in late June after a decade because the owners were retiring. Morad El-Raheb and his wife Annie, who opened the coffeehouse at 2446 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) in 2013, made the announcement on Facebook its last day would … Continue reading 918 Coffee in Tulsa closes due to owners’ retirement