Haunted House restaurant in Oklahoma City soon will reopen

The Haunted House restaurant near Route 66 in Oklahoma City reopened during the July 4 weekend with a slightly different name but the same unique decor, according to the new owner's website, its Facebook page and a recent article by Dave Cathey, food editor at The Oklahoman newspaper. In April, the restaurant was sold by … Continue reading Haunted House restaurant in Oklahoma City soon will reopen

Former owner of Grand Canyon Cafe dies

Bill Yee, 93, an owner and operator of the historic Grand Canyon Cafe along Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, for more than 30 years, died June 28, according to an obituary in the Arizona Daily Sun. Diving into the obituary, Yee was not a native American, but his is the classic American success story: … Continue reading Former owner of Grand Canyon Cafe dies

New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store

The new owner of Jobe's Drive-In in El Reno, Oklahoma, will convert the Route 66 restaurant into a "cowboys and Indians" antique store after buying it at auction last weekend, according to the El Reno Tribune. Cliff Johnson, a musician, submitted the winning bid of $63,000 for the building. According to the newspaper: Johnson said … Continue reading New Jobe’s owner will turn it into antique store

Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop

The city of Albuquerque and a former restaurant employee settled a lawsuit against the Route 66 Malt Shop over the eatery's refusal to pay a voter-mandated minimum wage increase, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The lawsuit was filed two years ago and was set to go to trial this week. Attorneys had made opening arguments … Continue reading Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop

Final cruise planned for Jobe’s Drive-In

Residents of El Reno, Oklahoma, are planning a cruise Friday night in tribute to the longtime owner of Jobe's Drive-In restaurant, who plans to auction his property the next morning. Called The Last Cruise, about 400 people had signed up to participate on its Facebook page as of Tuesday. Robert Sanders, who has owned Jobe's … Continue reading Final cruise planned for Jobe’s Drive-In

UFO-themed hotel planned in Baker

An entrepreneur is planning a $30 million, science fiction-themed UFO Hotel in Baker, California, about 50 miles northeast of Barstow, according to a news release. Luis Ramallo, best-known for Alien Fresh Jerky store in Baker, plans to build the two-story, 31-room hotel shaped like a spaceship. The UFO Hotel, which is in pre-construction development, will … Continue reading UFO-themed hotel planned in Baker

Movie being filmed in Tucumcari

A major film, "Comancheria," starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, is being filmed in and around the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, this week, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper and other accounts. CBS Films is producing. Here are some of the details from Hitfix.com: ... The film tells the … Continue reading Movie being filmed in Tucumcari

Negro Motorist Green Book project wins grant

A project to document Route 66 properties listed in editions of the Negro Motorist Green Book was awarded a 2015 grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. According a release from the foundation, it awarded a total of $490,000 to support 63 projects by individuals "that engage original ideas in … Continue reading Negro Motorist Green Book project wins grant

A closer look at the Route 66 Experience design

A few hours after I filed the story about the impending announcement Wednesday about the Route 66 Experience museum complex in Tulsa, I received architect renderings of the building that's set to open sometime in 2018. As you can see, it differs markedly from the artist rendering a decade ago (courtesy of Dana Dawson at … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Experience design

Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race” taking place on Route 66

The Food Network reality series "Great Food Truck Race" currently is taking place on or near spots on Rotue 66, according to a report by the Havasu News, based in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This season's filming included a stop this past weekend in Lake Havasu City. The local newspaper had some of the details: … Continue reading Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race” taking place on Route 66