An overview of the western ends of Route 66

Justin Scarred of Randomland Adventures is a blabbermouth, but the surprisingly well-informed host explains the various western ends of Route 66 -- downtown Los Angeles, Olympic and Lincoln boulevards in Santa Monica and, finally, the traditional end at the Santa Monica Pier. https://youtu.be/84XY0JRCbEM A bit of news: A Mel's Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic in … Continue reading An overview of the western ends of Route 66

Inside The Donut Man shop in Glendora

NBC News this week posted a terrific article about The Donut Man, which is marking 45 years this year on Route 66 in Glendora, California. Here's the video about the shop and its owner, Jim Nakano: The written part of the story contains a lot of interesting nuggets, too: The shop's strawberry doughnut started when … Continue reading Inside The Donut Man shop in Glendora

Elbow Inn sets up crowdfunding site to help rebuild

The landmark Elbow Inn restaurant and bar in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, that was damaged by unprecedented floods set up a crowdfunding site today to help rebuild. The website has been set up through Youcaring.com, with a $50,000 goal. The restaurant also posted this message on its Facebook page: Please help us rebuild The Elbow Inn!!! … Continue reading Elbow Inn sets up crowdfunding site to help rebuild

The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

The Mill restaurant of Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday reopened as local history museum, capping a decade-long effort to restore the dilapidated Route 66 landmark after it closed in 1996. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was there to attend the ceremonial ribbon (thankfully, the ceremony was indoors, as virtually of Illinois was drenched by torrential rainstorms). Video … Continue reading The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding

Flooding across mid-Missouri has affected many towns, but none more than the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow. According to the Waynesville Daily Guide, residents of Devil's Elbow were asked to evacuate by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The rising Big Piney River overwhelmed the town. The photo at top by Pulaski County Emergency Management, … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding

Devil’s Elbow Historic District, Piney Beach Cabins added to National Register

The Devil's Elbow Historic District in the small Route 66 town of Devil's Elbow, Missouri, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. On a related note, Piney Beach, aka Piney Beach Cabins, near Devil's Elbow also was placed on the National Register. An email Friday from the National Park Service confirmed the designations, … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Historic District, Piney Beach Cabins added to National Register

Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire

When a suspicious fire in 2010 burned down the historic Riviera Roadhouse restaurant in Gardner, Illinois, the arsonist also unsuccessfully targeted the nearby Streetcar Diner that night. That little-known fact was revealed in more than 200 pages of documents and dozens of photographs obtained through an open-records request for Illinois Fire Marshal's Office reports from the … Continue reading Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire

Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily

The famous and historic neon sign for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Illinois, recently was taken down. But don't panic -- it will be gone only a few weeks so it can be fixed and renovated so it looks new again. WBBM-TV reports that owner Patrick Rhea said he didn't look forward to his … Continue reading Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily

The Tropics building in Lincoln torn down

Residents of Lincoln, Illinois, saw the end of an era Saturday when the long-closed building for The Tropics restaurant was torn down. The razing of the building had been planned for months to make way for a McDonald's restaurant. However, the Lincoln Courier reports that the demolition crew let Tami Goodrich, daughter of longtime The … Continue reading The Tropics building in Lincoln torn down

Contents of Granny’s Closet restaurant in Flagstaff to be auctioned

Almost all the memorabilia and contents inside the closed Granny's Closet restaurant and bar in Flagstaff, Arizona, will be auctioned April 28. Flagstaff Auctions will begin the auction at 10 a.m. that day for the Route 66 landmark at 218 S. Milton Road, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. However, the old tractor and lumberjack statue near the … Continue reading Contents of Granny’s Closet restaurant in Flagstaff to be auctioned