Thanks to social media, people in recent years have become fascinated by so-called "arrows on the ground" that served as airmail beacons during the 1920s. Because these long-abandoned arrows were made of concrete, many still survive. To my surprise, I recently found out the Route 66 town of San Jon, New Mexico, also built a … Continue reading San Jon has a former airmail beacon on the ground
Category: Towns
Albuquerque Rapid Transit has a new problem — traffic accidents
The troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit system along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) saw a new problem pop up in less than two weeks of service -- at least six traffic accidents. KOAT-TV reported the sixth mishap Wednesday on the bus line since the service launched Nov. 30. Almost all the accidents have been due to … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit has a new problem — traffic accidents
Oklahoma City’s first-ever historic preservation plan is posted online
In October, The Oklahoman reported about a forthcoming and first-ever historic preservation plan for Oklahoma City. The newspaper reported: The 141-page draft was reviewed last week in a workshop attended by members of the city council, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission.It is entering a period of public comment, heading toward hearings by … Continue reading Oklahoma City’s first-ever historic preservation plan is posted online
Fire in Old Town Victorville destroys historic strip mall
A fire destroyed a historic strip mall in the Old Town area of Victorville, California, along the Route 66 corridor on Saturday night. The blaze occurred in the 15000 block of Seventh Street (aka Route 66) in Victorville. The strip mall was so thoroughly involved with fire when firefighters arrived, they did not enter the … Continue reading Fire in Old Town Victorville destroys historic strip mall
“Wildorado” documentary film to screen online next month
"Wildorado," a documentary about a high-school agriculture class in the Route 66 town of Wildorado, Texas, that establishes its own cattle company, will screen next month on television and online. Here's a trailer for the intriguing film: https://youtu.be/F2gy7MlSai4 The company the students established is the Wildorado Cattle Co. More about the company's origins can be … Continue reading “Wildorado” documentary film to screen online next month
Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
KRMG, a prominent radio station in Tulsa, recently produced a special about that city's extensive link to Route 66 and its role in the historic highway's future. The three-part segment, which totals less than eight minutes, includes interviews with Michael Wallis, author of the seminal "Route 66: The Mother Road"; Ken Busby of the Route … Continue reading Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
Marketing study requested for planned Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
A Bernalillo County commissioner asked for a marketing study for the proposed Route 66 Visitor Center planned for Albuquerque's west side before it breaks ground. According to the Albuquerque Journal: County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley recently introduced a resolution requiring that a third party consultant evaluate the “proposed uses for the Route 66 Visitors Center and … Continue reading Marketing study requested for planned Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
Whistleblower lawsuit alleges safety shortcuts in Albuquerque Rapid Transit
A traffic engineer filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city of Albuquerque, alleging he was fired after expressing concerns about traffic safety problems with the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project that may have led to two deaths. The Albuquerque Journal first reported about John Kolessar's lawsuit filed Friday in district court in Albuquerque. In addition … Continue reading Whistleblower lawsuit alleges safety shortcuts in Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Rutgers professor, Route 66 Road Ahead assembling a case studies project
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced last week it was putting together a Route 66 Case Studies Project with a Rutgers University professor to help Route 66 towns learn to use the road for economic development. The professor is David Listokin, who shepherded and co-wrote the influential Route 66 Economic Impact Study in 2012 … Continue reading Rutgers professor, Route 66 Road Ahead assembling a case studies project
Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona
Reader's Digest proclaimed the Route 66 town of Kingman as the Nicest Place in Arizona because of the way the townsfolk treated a homeless man -- a nice bounceback after an ugly PR nightmare last year involving prankster Sacha Baron Cohen. The editors at Reader's Digest wrote this about Kingman: Ask people what they like … Continue reading Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona