Those who ever have spent any time with longtime Route 66 aficionado Jim Conkle will recognize many of the things he says about the Mother Road in this interview. The 25-minute interview was done by host Joan Rudder-Ward on the "Silver Sage" program, a weekly 30-minute cable-television show geared towards the age-50-and-older crowd. It's a … Continue reading An interview with Jim Conkle
Category: Restaurants
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
The Mill grand opening set for April 29
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a museum during a grand opening April 29 after the former Route 66 restaurant finished renovations to make its restrooms accessible to the handicapped. Thanks to prompting from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County board secretary Geoff Ladd, the city likely will help organize several events … Continue reading The Mill grand opening set for April 29
Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project
The city of Albuquerque earlier this month held a ceremonial relighting of El Vado Motel's neon sign to mark the beginning of a redevelopment project there that will preserve the historic Route 66 motel. Palindrome Communities and FDHC are redeveloping El Vado Motel and the adjacent Casa Grande site for $18 million, including about $3.5 … Continue reading Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project
Lost Signal Brewing Co. opens in Springfield, Missouri
Lost Signal Brewing Co. opened last week in Springfield, Missouri, making it the fourth microbrewery in the city and the second on Springfield's Route 66. Lost Signal opened Valentine's Day at 610 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in a building that once housed the KICK radio station, hence its name, reported the Springfield News-Leader. … Continue reading Lost Signal Brewing Co. opens in Springfield, Missouri
Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
A local tourism bureau and a committee overseeing the restoration of The Tropics neon sign that once stood near Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, plan to erect the sign in the parking lot of a McDonald's that will replace the original Tropics restaurant. The proposal was presented during a meeting of the Lincoln City Council. According to … Continue reading Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens
Art's Motel of Farmersville, Illinois, best-known for distinctive sign that was restored by volunteers a decade ago, recently reopened after a six-year hiatus. The Prairie Land Buzz, a publication from a four-county area in Illinois near St. Louis, reported in its February issue the old Route 66 motel had been purchased by Kris Jain and reopened. "A … Continue reading Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens
Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21
A few weeks ago, Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods," announced a Route 66 episode was in the hopper for the program's new season. We now know when it first will air: 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Here is the synopsis of the episode, titled "Road Tripping Route 66": … Continue reading Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21
Tips for Route 66 tourism success
The Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat published a comprehensive report about two experts giving a presentation in Gillespie, Illinois, about how to parlay Route 66 into tourism dollars. The experts were Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, and Bill Thomas, economic development director for Logan County, tourism booster for Atlanta, Illinois, and chairman … Continue reading Tips for Route 66 tourism success
Tulsa flower shop still going after 82 years
A flower shop along Route 66 in Tulsa has operated there since 1935, and apparently it will for at least a while longer. Burnett's Flowers and Gifts at 4322 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) recently changed hands, and the new owner thinks he's found a new way to sell flowers and keep the business … Continue reading Tulsa flower shop still going after 82 years