I heard Wednesday morning that the old neon sign for the Gateway Motor Inn, aka the Gateway Motor Hotel, along Oklahoma 66 halfway between Tulsa and Sapulpa, Okla., was down. I checked it out. There is was -- flat on the parking lot, surrounded by road cones and shards of broken neon tubing. It was … Continue reading Another sign gone
Category: Signs
The nighttime glow of Gay Parita
Gary Turner's faithful reproduction of the former Gay Parita gas station on old Route 66 in Paris Springs, Mo., recently had architectural neon lighting added. The lighting was installed free by Vernon Boyce, owner of Missouri Neon Co. of nearby Springfield, Mo. The company has been around since the 1940s and has installed neon lighting … Continue reading The nighttime glow of Gay Parita
New Tucumcari billboards, banners
It's not a new slogan, but new "Tucumcari Tonite!" billboards to publicize the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., are about to go up along Interstate 40. There also will be "Tucumcari Tonite!" banners of a similar design along the city's main drags, including Route 66. There also are several Tucumcari centennial banners. Richard Talley, … Continue reading New Tucumcari billboards, banners
This girl on the billboard is no longer welcome
Here's a story from the Edwardsville (Ill.) Intelligencer: A bright pink billboard advertising the Hustler Club and featuring a scantily clad woman that was posted on Frontage Road north of Hamel, and adjacent to Interstate 55, has been removed, according to the farmer on whose property it was placed. "I didn't want no part of … Continue reading This girl on the billboard is no longer welcome
Notes from the road
Ultramarathoner Phil Rosenstein is running the entire length of Route 66 -- and beyond -- for charity. He started a little more than two weeks ago in Santa Monica, Calif., and has already made it near the Arizona-New Mexico border. After completing his Mother Road trek to Chicago, he plans to keep going all the … Continue reading Notes from the road
A crown on the Blue Dome
In a story by the Greater Tulsa Region Newspapers about Tulsa's preparations for the upcoming National Preservation Conference on Oct. 21-25, those who come to town during that time will be treated to a rare sight -- the copper spire that once graced the Blue Dome gas station on Route 66 near downtown will be … Continue reading A crown on the Blue Dome
“Sh-Boom”
A great scene in "Cars" from the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. A lot of people who didn't understand the allure of neon lighting "got it" after that scene. Music by The Chords, on what is arguably the first rock 'n' roll song.
Book review: “Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid Adventures on Route 66”
In an era where digital has become the dominant photography format, old-school cameras such as Holga, Diana and even Polaroid have made unexpected comebacks. These so-called lomographers like them because of their unpredictable images and often-vivid color. So when photographer Christopher Robleski (see his work here) told me about his new book "Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid … Continue reading Book review: “Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid Adventures on Route 66”
Don’t steal me!
Regrettably, Route 66 road signs are stolen all the time. This isn't news to roadies. The travel blog for OnMilwaukee.com reported on the most commonly stolen road signs. To provide some humor to your day, here's the whole list: Bong Recreation Area in Bristol, Wis. Abbey Road / Penny Lane Beer Road in Orange, Australia … Continue reading Don’t steal me!
Here’s your sign
Taking a cue from recent efforts by the nearby towns of Miami, Okla., and Galena, Kan., a city official for Webb City, Mo., is asking permission from state and federal highway officials to paint Route 66 shields on the road surface through several Jasper County towns to help guide travelers. From the Carthage (Mo.) Press: … Continue reading Here’s your sign