Texas Monthly magazine, using the concept of nostalgia as its focus, recently produced a segment for PBS-TV that features several Route 66 sites in the Panhandle. Included are the Jericho ghost town, the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum in Vega. The segment also examines the Fort Hancock 6-man football team, a … Continue reading Texas Monthly segment on PBS-TV takes a look at several Route 66 sites in the Panhandle
Category: Towns
Route 66 centennial road signs and flags distributed to 18 communities in northern Illinois
Heritage Corridor Destinations and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway celebrated Route 66 communities along The First Hundred Miles of the Mother Road with new Route 66 centennial road signs and flags. The signs were distributed ahead of National Scenic Byway Day on Sept. 22. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway created the centennial signs … Continue reading Route 66 centennial road signs and flags distributed to 18 communities in northern Illinois
Gas station to become an event space, diner to reopen at Route 66 ghost town of Spencer, Missouri
The co-owners of the picturesque Route 66 ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, said they plan to convert the service station into an events center and reopen the diner. They're also considering reopening the barber shop and other possibilities. One of the key buildings in the town is called Spencer Station. Those tidbits emerged in a … Continue reading Gas station to become an event space, diner to reopen at Route 66 ghost town of Spencer, Missouri
First Black incorporated town in U.S. officially restored to Route 66 map
A new Route 66 marker was recently unveiled on Madison Street in Brooklyn, Illinois, after the historic Black community had been bypassed and neglected on Route 66 maps for many years. Brooklyn (aka Lovejoy) sits on Illinois Highway 3 between East St. Louis and Madison in the metro-east area of St. Louis. Illinois 3 was … Continue reading First Black incorporated town in U.S. officially restored to Route 66 map
Texas Monthly reports on the long, strange trip that led to the Glenrio Smoke Stop
Texas Monthly this month published a nuanced, well-researched article about Glenrio, the Route 66 ghost town, and the Glenrio Smoke Stop dispensary that sprang up there a few years ago. The story begins with how future Glenrio Smoke Stop principal Gabi Tuschak, an Austin hypnotherapist, matched on a dating app with Erik Spain, a divorced … Continue reading Texas Monthly reports on the long, strange trip that led to the Glenrio Smoke Stop
Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
A consultant for the city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has proposed tearing down five historic buildings in the downtown area to address parking concerns. The plan comes in the wake of a survey of residents by Planning Consultant Scott Bruce, which focused on a lack of parking on Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) and easy access … Continue reading Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Two years ago, a $2 billion theme park off Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, was announced with much fanfare from the principals and area officials. Now, the Tulsa World reports that an apparent falling out between two of the project's principals has placed it in limbo. The newspaper reported the American Heartland theme park may … Continue reading Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Five communities were designated as Official Satellite Cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The five Official Satellite Cities are Joliet, Illinois; St. Louis; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; and Santa Monica, California. Those cities will join the live, online media event combined with Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which … Continue reading Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Sign proclaims Galena as “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas”
Talk about sparking people's curiosity. Right where Route 66 crosses the Missouri-Kansas state line near Galena, Kansas, just below the “Welcome to Galena” sign reads the message: “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas." Whaaa? KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri, has the explanation: It started as a joke when Dale Oglesby thought he was … Continue reading Sign proclaims Galena as “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas”
Six satellite cities sought for Route 66 Centennial Kick-off in April
Cities along Route 66 are asked to submit proposals to participate in the official Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership will choose six official satellite cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, starting with a live, online media event combined with celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which is the … Continue reading Six satellite cities sought for Route 66 Centennial Kick-off in April