The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that city budget plans include $1 million in spending to promote area tourism. Included is $63,000 for entryway beautification, which includes Route 66. Next year, the bureau is looking to construct a sign at the southwest corner of North Florida Avenue and Zora Street that has a Route 66 theme … Continue reading $1 million for Joplin-area tourism
Category: Towns
Albuquerque streetcar plan discussed
John at the Big Albuquerque-like Things blog attended an informational meeting about plans of using streetcars on the Duke City's streets, including Central Avenue (aka Route 66). John did a good job providing an overview of the project, including pictures from the presentation. He thinks tourists (like me) will use the streetcars to go to … Continue reading Albuquerque streetcar plan discussed
Foothill Boulevard improvements to start next month
The city of Upland, Calif., is set to begin reconstruction of half-mile section of Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, next month, reports the Ontario Daily Bulletin. Last year, Quincy put together the Foothill Committee, made up of volunteers, that serves as a focal group to improve and identify different projects along the historic Route 66. … Continue reading Foothill Boulevard improvements to start next month
So what’s going on with Amboy?
More than a year ago, Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain in Southern California, purchased the entire Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif. He was hoping to restore the cafe, gas station and perhaps the motel to some semblance of its former self. The Ontario (Calif.) Daily Bulletin has an update today … Continue reading So what’s going on with Amboy?
Newberry Springs becomes a speculators’ market
The small Mojave Desert town of Newberry Springs, Calif., which is on Route 66, has suddenly become a hot spot for real-estate speculators, reports Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times. Last year, $15.6 million in real estate sold in the ZIP Code encompassing much of Newberry Springs, nearly seven times [my emphasis] the amount … Continue reading Newberry Springs becomes a speculators’ market
Taking the scenic route
After fits and starts too complicated to recount here, the quest to make Route 66 in Oklahoma a scenic byway is starting to get some traction. (Disclosure: I was involved to a small degree in this effort via the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, but we finally got someone in the state who will do this … Continue reading Taking the scenic route
Mount Olive and Mother Jones
The Associated Content site has listed a "history detour" about Mount Olive, Ill., and its most famous resident, union activist Mother Jones. She is buried just off old Route 66 in the Union Miners Cemetery, and a monument also was erected there in her honor. The article also mentions the restored Soulsby Station on 66.
Preview of Route 66 Days
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader has a preview story and pretty much all the details about the Route 66 Days festival this coming Saturday in Strafford.
Fire destroys Oatman home
Ordinarily, a home fire without injuries is nothing I would get too concerned about on Route 66 News. But this home fire was on the main drag of the isolated Route 66 desert town of Oatman, Ariz. Fires are a huge concern in Oatman because the businesses are packed together, and firefighting help is about … Continue reading Fire destroys Oatman home
What’s right — and wrong — with Edwardsville
Here's an article from the Alton (Ill.) Telegraph about nearby Edwardsville being named host of the national Route 66 Festival in 2008, which has already been reported here and several other newspapers. Here's the quote from the story that bugged me, however: "It’s going to put us on the map," said Carol Foreman, director of … Continue reading What’s right — and wrong — with Edwardsville