In celebration of Route 66's centennial, the City of Chicago will formally recognize Navy Pier as the symbolic starting point of the highway. The dedication ceremony celebrating the new starting point of Route 66 and its role in American history, culture and adventure will take place on March 25, according to a news release. The … Continue reading Chicago announces new symbolic starting point for Route 66 at Navy Pier
Category: Road trips
Restored 1973 Chrysler New Yorker will be driven on Route 66 in tribute to its late owner
In August, two men plan to drive the 2,400-mile length of Route 66 in a restored 1973 Chrysler New Yorker in tribute to the car's late owner. The road trip by Markku Jaakkola and Jacob Gilbert will be part of an Official Route 66 Centennial event. Jaakkola, a Finnish‑born automotive storyteller and quality engineer, wrote … Continue reading Restored 1973 Chrysler New Yorker will be driven on Route 66 in tribute to its late owner
Over 1,000 cars already registered for Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise in Tulsa
Registration for the Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise in Tulsa has logged 1,000 participants -- months before the big event. According to a news release, 1,023 classic-car owners from 26 states had completed their registrations. Organizers aim to break the Guinness World Record for the largest classic-car parade of 2,491 cars. With the parade not … Continue reading Over 1,000 cars already registered for Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise in Tulsa
Couple plans to celebrate Route 66’s centennial by traveling the highway in a 1926 car
Ed and Jackie Fogle of Oklahoma said they will mark Route 66's centennial later this year by traveling in another century-old car. The Fogles will travel on Route 66 in a 1926 Hupmobile. The Claremore Daily Progress detailed on how this came about: Ed Fogle said the idea came to him four years ago when … Continue reading Couple plans to celebrate Route 66’s centennial by traveling the highway in a 1926 car
Ideastream Public Media features Route 66 photographer David Schwartz
Ideastream Public Media recently published and uploaded a story about Ohio photographer David Schwartz, whose images will be featured in forthcoming U.S. postage stamps about Route 66's centennial. Here's the seven-minute video documentary: https://youtu.be/gAJf50T5NM8?si=tal3xL3A8UiRq-G4 Schwartz said he's made over 40 trips on Route 66 over the past two decades to document the highway. In the … Continue reading Ideastream Public Media features Route 66 photographer David Schwartz
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
Recently, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority debuted a 27-minute documentary, "Route 66: The First 100 Years," on many PBS stations in the Sooner State. The entire documentary can be viewed online here. Below is a trailer: https://youtu.be/flXNvvYjiN8?si=uRavDz98KO68MawA In it, you'll find many Oklahoma Route 66 authorities such as Jerry McClanahan, Jim Ross, Rhys Martin, Michael … Continue reading Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
Samantha Brown’s ninth season of “Places to Love” airs on PBS-TV starting today
Samantha Brown's ninth season of her "Places to Love" travel show begins today on PBS-TV stations, including three episodes along Route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and California. Episodes from Season 9 can be viewed online here. In the previous two seasons, Brown's show traveled the eastern half of Route 66. Here's a teaser trailer … Continue reading Samantha Brown’s ninth season of “Places to Love” airs on PBS-TV starting today
Rhys Martin named Tulsan of the Year by TulsaPeople Magazine
Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative and a member of numerous other Route 66 groups, earned the annual Tulsan of the Year honor by TulsaPeople Magazine. The magazine chose Martin because of his years of advocacy for Route 66 -- especially with its centennial starting … Continue reading Rhys Martin named Tulsan of the Year by TulsaPeople Magazine
Ken Turmel, known for his PostmarkArt, dies at 69
Ken Turmel, a Route 66 enthusiast best known for his "PostmarkArt" featuring postmarks from dozens out outposts, died Tuesday. He was 69. Turmel, a longtime Oklahoma City resident, had just completed treatments for throat cancer, according to his wife of 30 years, Melissa, and several friends. According to his website, Turmel was born in Santa … Continue reading Ken Turmel, known for his PostmarkArt, dies at 69
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers