A few days ago, former congressman and possible presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke spent a day in Tucumcari, New Mexico, to meet with local folks and research a bit of his family history there. O'Rourke, a Democrat, rose to national prominence last year after he lost an unexpectedly close 3-point U.S. Senate race in deeply Republican … Continue reading Beto O’Rourke’s day on Route 66 in Tucumcari
Category: Towns
How not to treat Route 66 tourists
This strange and unfortunate incident happened in Amboy, California, in November, but it surfaced earlier this week on the Historic Route 66 page on Facebook. The incident also largely was confirmed by Carlos Aceves, who was the town's manager, including at Roy's. Here's the Nov. 5 story by KCDZ, a community radio station that states … Continue reading How not to treat Route 66 tourists
Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery
Route 66 artwork from Amarillo figures prominently in an art show in the unlikely locale of Plainview, Texas (pop. 20,700). The "Yellow City Art" show at Contemporary Art Museum Plainview, which runs through February, features the work of photographer Ed Ruscha (known for his 1963 "Twentysix Gasoline Stations" photo book) and the late Stanley Marsh … Continue reading Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery
Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
The city of Springfield, Illinois, announced in the wake of its recent purchase of the Sonrise Donuts neon signs it is developing a larger tourism plan to draw more Route 66 travelers in the coming years. With an eye on Route 66's centennial in 2026, Springfield wants to develop a "hub" of Route 66 attractions into … Continue reading Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
Voters in Duarte approve ban on fireworks
The Route 66 town of Duarte, California, recently enacted a ban on the use and sale of fireworks, mostly because of the fear they would ignite wildfires in the nearby foothills. But this isn't an action by a so-called out-of-control city council. This ban recently was approved by the city's voters in a ballot measure. … Continue reading Voters in Duarte approve ban on fireworks
Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town
The Texas Historical Commission recently completed a survey of Route 66 in the Lone Star State, including an interactive Google Map that shows even obscure alignments, hundreds of photos of historic sites and an apparent ruling that Washburn once was a town on the Mother Road. Results of the survey of Texas' 178 miles of … Continue reading Texas Historical Commission now considers Washburn a Route 66 town
Citing state law, resident asks Lebanon to rename street Route 66
Citing a 1999 state law, a resident of Lebanon, Missouri, recently asked the city council to change Elm Street back to Route 66. For now, the local Route 66 association declined to take a stand on the issue. It's the second time in three years someone asked Lebanon to comply with the law. The Springfield … Continue reading Citing state law, resident asks Lebanon to rename street Route 66
Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa is finished
Construction on the massive Route 66 Rising sculpture at the traffic circle at Mingo Road and Admiral Place (aka Route 66) in Tulsa came to completion last week. The $650,000 sculpture, paid for with Vision 2025 sales-tax money, is about 70 feet long and 30 feet tall. Eric F. Garcia of EFG Creative in Albuquerque designed the sculpture. … Continue reading Route 66 Rising sculpture in Tulsa is finished
Needles’ future is going to pot
Needles, California, which has seen better days like many Route 66 towns bypassed by the interstate decades ago, is betting on future growth with the marijuana industry. This isn't just hyperbole. Check out these facts from the story by the New York Times: The City Council in this solidly Republican community of 5,000 people has … Continue reading Needles’ future is going to pot
Albuquerque sues company over bad ART buses
Albuquerque announced Friday it was suing the BYD company over its faulty electrical buses made for the city's troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit line. Mayor Tim Keller announced the legal action after forcing the California-based company to take back the buses. According to the Albuquerque Journal: Keller said the city reached out to BYD in an … Continue reading Albuquerque sues company over bad ART buses