While tourists continue to visit the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois, despite the closing of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in 2013, one new twist recently emerged -- visitors slapping stickers on the iconic fiberglass figure. According to the Daily Journal, Wilmington Mayor Roy Strong and some residents don't have a problem with tourists affixing … Continue reading Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
Category: Restaurants
Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
The Elbow Inn restaurant and bar in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, will partly reopen Friday for the Memorial Day weekend, less than a month after it was heavily damaged by a record flood from the Big Piney River. A phone call Thursday confirmed the Route 66 landmark will open its outdoor, covered Biergarten at 11 a.m. Friday, … Continue reading Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
The historic neon sign for the now-gone The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, may return to a parking lot at a McDonald's along Route 66 by spring 2018. That scenario became more likely after the city approved an easement with Franchise Realty Investment Trust on behalf of the McDonald’s to install the sign at the lot … Continue reading The Tropics neon sign may return to Lincoln by spring 2018
How to help Devil’s Elbow
It seems as if relief efforts have gotten more organized in recent days on how to help the flood-stricken Route 66 village of Devil's Elbow, Missouri. The Elbow Inn restaurant and bar already has a crowdfunding site, but it also provided a list of materials it needs to help rebuild. If you live near the area … Continue reading How to help Devil’s Elbow
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