Northern Arizona University student Nikki Charnstrom last fall began to hear about tunnels that snaked under downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, including Route 66. But finding information about the Flagstaff tunnels proved more difficult. In an interview in Flagstaff Business News: “Everyone I asked said no, they didn’t know about the tunnels, so it sparked my interest in forgotten … Continue reading The tunnels beneath Flagstaff
Category: Towns
Feds urge grant for Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
The Federal Transit Administration on Tuesday urged approval of a $69 million federal grant to convert the center of nine miles of Albuquerque's Central Avenue (aka Route 66) into a bus system called Albuquerque Rapid Transit. The Albuquerque Journal and other media outlets confirmed the FTA's recommendation, which was expected since Mayor Richard Berry championed the … Continue reading Feds urge grant for Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
Mojave Trails National Monument order expected soon
A declaration of a Mojave Trails National Monument that would include almost all of Route 66 from Needles to Barstow, California, is coming within days, according to a lengthy article by the San Francisco Chronicle. For six years, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has tried to get such a Mojave Trails National Monument designation through Congress, but … Continue reading Mojave Trails National Monument order expected soon
California Route 66 group may partner with Needles group
The California Historic Route 66 Association is examining the possibility of a permanent partnership with the Needles Downtown Business Alliance in Needles, California. Sharon Foster of the California association attended a meeting of the alliance earlier this month, reported the Needles Desert Star. Part of what she wanted to accomplish was to bring Needles back … Continue reading California Route 66 group may partner with Needles group
No, nobody’s going to hunt Oatman burros
A few media outlets reported a Mohave County, Arizona, official proposed hunting for wild burros to reduce overpopulation in the region. Naturally, this got Route 66 folks and animal-rights activists riled up, because that would mean the Route 66 town of Oatman, Arizona, would see its beloved wild burros in the cross hairs. Mojave County … Continue reading No, nobody’s going to hunt Oatman burros
“Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
There's a little corner in Winslow, Arizona, that's a sadder sight to see Glenn Frey, a co-founder of the mega-selling country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer of one of its early hits, "Take It Easy," that made the Route 66 town internationally famous, died Monday at age 67 after suffering from several ailments for weeks. Frey … Continue reading “Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
$500,000 grant accepted for Arizona State Railroad Museum
The city of Williams, Arizona, accepted a $500,000 state grant to help acquire artifacts for the Arizona State Railroad Museum, reported the Williams News. The grant, which will be available by fiscal year 2018, came with help from the Northern Arizona Council of Governments. It requires a $5,000 administrative fee and a 5.7 percent match of any money … Continue reading $500,000 grant accepted for Arizona State Railroad Museum
More about that church in Amboy
Earlier in the month, we reported the steeple at the long-closed church in Amboy, California, would be restored after the elements finally toppled it in 2013. Specifics about the history of the St. Raymond Church in Amboy were scant, save for vague second- and third-hand information. I wrote the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, … Continue reading More about that church in Amboy
Councilor feels heat over Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
Albuquerque business owners along Central Avenue gave new city councilor Pat Davis an earful about a proposed rapid-transit bus system during a meeting of the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association. Albuquerque Rapid Transit would take up two lanes of a large section of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) for bus lines that would mimic commuter trains. The proposal, shepherded by … Continue reading Councilor feels heat over Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
Pontiac sees sixth consecutive year of tourism growth
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Illinois, finished 2015 with its sixth consecutive year of tourism growth, according to visitor sign-ins at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum tallied 25,720 visitors in 2015, which was a 4 percent increase over the previous year's 24,736. That's more than double from the … Continue reading Pontiac sees sixth consecutive year of tourism growth