New book tells the history of Amarillo

There's a new book about that windy, dusty Route 66 town on the Plains that is Amarillo, Texas. The Mexia (Texas) Daily News reports that Texas Tech University has published "Amarillo -- The Story of a Western Town" by professor Paul H. Carlson. The newspaper says: Amarillo is the first comprehensive history of the “Queen … Continue reading New book tells the history of Amarillo

A Riverwalk — in Grants

The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has an interesting story about Riverwalk in the nearby Route 66 town of Grants, N.M. San Antonio has the best-known Riverwalk; it appears Grants decided to have one of its own. The Riverwalk in Grants is a greenbelt along the Rio San Jose that in the midst of a three-stage development. … Continue reading A Riverwalk — in Grants

Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register

  According to an e-mail from the director of the National Park Service, Glenrio's historic district -- which comprises most of the Route 66 community straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico -- was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 17. Glenrio's location in two states (and two counties) at … Continue reading Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register

An update on Roy’s of Amboy

Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times wrote an excellent story about the attempts by Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, to resuscitate the historic Roy's in the lonely Route 66 desert down of Amboy, Calif. Okura hoped to be further along in fixing up the property, but progress has been slow: … Continue reading An update on Roy’s of Amboy

Garage sale would go for miles and miles

Bruce Huskins wants to start an annual garage sale along the shoulder of old Route 66 from Elkhart to Atlanta, Ill., on Memorial Day weekend, reports the Lincoln (Ill.) Courier. That's about 25 miles. Huskins is trying to get a thumbs-up from the Lincoln City Council and Logan County Board. Several area politicians reportedly have … Continue reading Garage sale would go for miles and miles

Route 66 in Vega

On Sunday, the Amarillo Globe-News (free registration required) published an article about nearby Vega, Texas, and its Route 66 heritage. The article contained some updates on a few longtime favorites: Dot Leavitt, founder and caretaker of Dot's Mini-Museum, died about a month ago. But the museum was willed to her daughter, Betty Carpenter, and she's … Continue reading Route 66 in Vega

“Albuquerque Rising”

That is the title of this excellent travel article from the Los Angeles Times. Click here and find out why.

The other side of Arizona

Having traveled Route 66 a few times, I often forget that people who've never traveled the northern part of the state don't know that much of it is a land of pine trees and mountain air, not cacti and blistering desert. For those who want to be in Arizona but escape the summer heat, the … Continue reading The other side of Arizona

Three Route 66 additions to the National Register of Historic Places

Three pieces of Route 66 were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. One is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which links Madison, Ill., to north St. Louis over the Mississippi River. It was designated on Dec. 1. This story in the Suburban Journals of St. Louis provides a nice overview of … Continue reading Three Route 66 additions to the National Register of Historic Places

A new big frog for Waynesville?

There's a big, painted stone frog on Waynesville Hill just off old Route 66 in Wayneville, Mo. It's been a local landmark for years, and its name is W.H. Croaker. According to the Waynesville Frog Fest site, this is how the frog was created: You see, several years ago the Missouri Department of Transportation was … Continue reading A new big frog for Waynesville?