The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla., will shell out about $150,000 for historical markers and other projects along the Mother Road. About $120,000 of that will come from the National Scenic Byways program, while the rest will be provided by the city and tourism bureau. The projects are: … Continue reading Miami will receive grants for Route 66 projects
Category: Towns
I detect a trend …
The Daily Sun newspaper has compiled its Best of Flagstaff 2007, voted by readers. A fair number of Route 66 businesses made the list, among them the historic Museum Club (Best Place to Dance), Sakura (Best Japanese Food), and Salsa Brava (Best Salsa). But the Route 66 Dog Haus captured an impressive three categories -- … Continue reading I detect a trend …
Cussing and discussing a sign ordinance
A while back, the city of Albuquerque was considering a strict sign ordinance that would severely curb the size, type and placement of businesses signs. Because of opposition from the business community and from a fair number of Route 66ers who fear for the fate of the neon along Central Avenue, the proposed ordinance has … Continue reading Cussing and discussing a sign ordinance
“Chicago”
For over a decade, I wrote weekly music reviews for a newspaper in Illinois. In 2005, I heard a mighty buzz about folk-rocker Sufjan Stevens and his album, "Illinois." There was a lot of interest in the project, partly because Stevens has vowed to record an album inspired by each of the 50 states. Michigan … Continue reading “Chicago”
More sprucing up of 66?
After all the attention Joliet, Ill., has received lately about its tourism efforts and beautification of Route 66, nearby Countryside must have felt a little left out. According to Countryside Suburban Life, the city is considering some of its own beautification efforts for Joliet Road, aka Route 66. This, ironically, is being mulled after a … Continue reading More sprucing up of 66?
Seeing the Springfield sights
WGN-TV in Chicago traveled down to Springfield, Ill., to see some of the sights on Route 66, including Bill Shea's filling-station memorabilia and the Cozy Dog Drive-In, whose original owner invented the corndog.
Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Dan O'Neil, the mayor of Edmond, Okla., wrote an opinion piece for the Edmond Sun. In it, O'Neil announced the city was selected by the Mayors' Institute of City Design to participate in a study. The group tries to resolve urban design problems. O'Neil lays out what he thinks needs to be addressed: What project … Continue reading Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Don’t use them for a fill-up
The City of Joliet, Ill., found a unique way to kick off its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 tourism campaign. It has placed fiberglass replica gas pumps at various historical landmarks, complete with informational placards, reports the Joliet Herald News. The story contains a photo of a Texaco gas pump in front of the Rialto … Continue reading Don’t use them for a fill-up
An interesting idea
The Urban Land Institute gave the city of San Bernardino, Calif., some suggestions on how to revitalize its downtown. The suggestions ran the gamut of more green spaces, denser development and mixed use of residential, retail and office development, among other ideas. Not all of the city's aldermen agreed, and provided the San Bernardino County … Continue reading An interesting idea
Mural City
KETC-TV in St. Louis produced a good segment about the Route 66 town of Cuba, Mo., and its dozen murals. The remarkable thing is the murals aren't simply decorative. They represent real events and real people. Listen to the man get emotional as he tells about the Cuba men who went off to war, and … Continue reading Mural City