Chicago plans Route 66 birthday party Saturday

On Saturday, Chicago will host a 90th-birthday party for Route 66 near the eastern terminus of the Mother Road. According to Time Out Chicago, the Illinois Office of Tourism will throw up a pop-up birthday party for Route 66 on Jackson Boulevard in downtown Chicago, near Michigan Avenue, where the historic highway begins. The nearby Bow Truss coffee shop … Continue reading Chicago plans Route 66 birthday party Saturday

Stolen Cross Eyed Cow minibus recovered

The customized Volkswagen minibus stolen two weeks ago from the Cross Eyed Cow restaurant in Oro Grande, California, was recovered Monday, but not without scary moments. The minivan now is in a tow yard in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The Cross Eyed Cow's owners hope they can pick it up this week, although police may want to hold it a … Continue reading Stolen Cross Eyed Cow minibus recovered

Summit Inn ownership soon will change

The Summit Inn, situated off old Route 66 on the top of Cajon Pass in southern California, will change hands after almost 50 years under ownership by C.A. Stevens. The Victorville Daily Press reports the Otto Recinos family of nearby Wrightwood, California, bought the Route 66 restaurant, motel, office and antique shop for about $1 million. Closing on … Continue reading Summit Inn ownership soon will change

Lake City Diner in Santa Rosa gets new owners

Local residents purchased the closed Lake City Diner in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and plan to eventually reopen it as a sandwich shop and bed-and-breakfast. The Communicator newspaper reported in last week's print edition Arthur and Anastacia Baca completed the purchase of the former bank building that sits on a corner of Route 66 in … Continue reading Lake City Diner in Santa Rosa gets new owners

Cross Eyed Cow minibus stolen

A Volkswagen minibus perennially parked in front of the Cross Eyed Cow Pizza restaurant in Oro Grande, California, was stolen, and the owner has offered a reward for its return. According to the Victor Valley News: If you’ve ever traveled along Route 66 through the town of Oro Grande you’ve likely seen the infamous Cross Eyed Cow pizza … Continue reading Cross Eyed Cow minibus stolen

Truck damages Cindy’s Eagle Rock restaurant

Cindy's Eagle Rock, aka Cindy's Coffee Shop, in Los Angeles will close for several weeks for repairs after a pickup truck crashed through the entrance when the restaurant was closed. According to Los Angeles Eater, the mishap occurred about 1 a.m. Saturday. The driver apparently swerved off Colorado Boulevard (aka Route 66) and crashed through the … Continue reading Truck damages Cindy’s Eagle Rock restaurant

McDonald’s plans to build at old Tropics property

Any lingering hopes the long-closed Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, would be reopened were dashed last week with the news a McDonald's restaurant wants to build on the site. The Lincoln Courier reports a law firm made a request for a special-use permit to the city: The city announced Thursday that the Lincoln Planning Commission will … Continue reading McDonald’s plans to build at old Tropics property

Aubrey McClendon’s death ruled an accident

A medical examiner's report and an Oklahoma City Police investigation determined energy tycoon Aubrey McClendon's fatal crash in March was an accident and not suicide, as believed. McClendon was former CEO of Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City and built the popular Pops restaurant and convenience store on Route 66 in nearby Arcadia, Oklahoma. McClendon died in a fiery … Continue reading Aubrey McClendon’s death ruled an accident

Big Texan likely will begin building new complex by fall

The Big Texan Steak Ranch likely will begin building its new restaurant and entertainment complex after it submits its plans to the city of Amarillo in September, according to a report by KFDA-TV in Amarillo. The station reported a water park along Interstate 40 west of the Big Texan is being dismantled to make way … Continue reading Big Texan likely will begin building new complex by fall

Elvis sightings on Route 66

The Marshfield Mail in Missouri published an extensive listing of Elvis Presley sightings and shows in the Show-Me State in 1956 -- the year he came into national prominence. The future King of Rock 'n' Roll's tours brought him to a few Route 66 landmarks that year. According to the newspaper. --- "By May 1956, Elvis was … Continue reading Elvis sightings on Route 66