This article by Steve Lackmeyer of The Daily Oklahoman has a lot to recommend it, including interviews with a bunch of Route 66's colorful characters (including a man with 53 Route 66-related tattoos) during the National Route 66 Festival in Clinton, Okla. But this excerpt justifies the faith I've had in Clinton (population 8,300) in … Continue reading Clinton proves its worth as a festival host
Category: Towns
Over easy, please
You often hear the summer adage that "it's so hot, you can fry an egg on the sidewalk." Every Fourth of July for the past 17 years, the Route 66 town of Oatman, Ariz., proves that old adage true. The old mining town nestled in the parched Black Mountains will hold its Oatman Sidewalk Egg … Continue reading Over easy, please
Pontiac set to add to Route 66 attractions
A report by the Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader about Monday's city council meeting had items of interest for Route 66ers: A mural is planned on the east side of the Diaz Sign Art building at 628 W. Lincoln Ave. that says "Enjoy Pontiac, Illinois on Route 66" with a 1950s-era car and a Route 66 … Continue reading Pontiac set to add to Route 66 attractions
Miami, Okla., jumps on Route 66 bandwagon
The Daily Oklahoman has a good overview about big changes in the offing for Miami, Okla., which once was tepid to Route 66 but now seems to have jumped onto the Mother Road bandwagon. The city has applied for a bunch of grants for streetscape improvements, shoring up historic properties and better signs to direct … Continue reading Miami, Okla., jumps on Route 66 bandwagon
Roy’s owner, preservation group form partnership
Albert Okura, owner of Route 66 icon Roy's and the town of Amboy, Calif., has formed a partnership with the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation to help get the business up and running again, it was reported Thursday. The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press published a story about the announcement today. But some information seemed to … Continue reading Roy’s owner, preservation group form partnership
Italians on the Mother Road
The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News reports that a new book, "Searching for Italy in America's Rural Heartland," contains a chapter about Italians who settled in the Rolla, Rosati and St. James region of central Missouri. In the chapter about Rosati, Calvitto notes that a group of immigrants from Italy came to the United States and … Continue reading Italians on the Mother Road
Walking to the future
The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press examines how the Route 66 town wants to transform its Old Town area into a growing, vibrant, "walkable" area. It's a laudable goal. But the key is to not abandon it if growth comes slowly. The United States -- and especially Southern California -- loves its cars, and it's going … Continue reading Walking to the future
Does Galena have a future?
Last summer, the historic Green Parrot tavern along Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was damaged when a giant sinkhole opened up behind the property. The hole was caused by the collapse of one of the old underground lead mines that dot the city. Today, an article in the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World & News confirms what … Continue reading Does Galena have a future?
Joliet to celebrate Route 66 heritage
The city of Joliet, Ill., is holding a big bash downtown Saturday to celebrate its connection to the Mother Road, according to the Joliet Herald-News. It's an all-day block party with a classic car show, a sock hop, an ice cream parlor and outdoor showings of "Cars," a movie based on people and places along … Continue reading Joliet to celebrate Route 66 heritage
Tucumcari at night
The images aren't high quality, sometimes objects fade out of focus, and many of the neon lights remain out of commission after a severe hailstorm in late March. But this recent video from the seminal Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., made me exclaim: "I wish I'd thought of that." Brian, aka bkdurham, on a … Continue reading Tucumcari at night