Chris and Katie Robleski of Fading Nostalgia recently used their night photography talents to shoot the inside of the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Robleskis wrote a blog about gaining access to the theater's seldom-seen interior. Their 26-minute podcast goes not only into the decaying but beautiful Majestic Theatre and the troubled history … Continue reading Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Category: Towns
Hawkins Mill in Springfield being torn down
The 75-year-old Hawkins Mill, a landmark in Springfield, Missouri, soon will be torn down to make way for an unspecified new development. KVTV-TV in Springfield reported: Originally Hawkins Mill, it opened along College Street/U.S. Route 66 in 1940. Kansas Expressway was eventually constructed just yards west of the structure. The mill eventually became an familiar … Continue reading Hawkins Mill in Springfield being torn down
A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
A lot of people -- especially Europeans -- know about the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, and its draw as the setting for the 1987 film "Bagdad Cafe." But not many know about Andree Pruett, owner of the Route 66 restaurant for about 20 years. The Victorville Daily Press published a profile of Pruett. … Continue reading A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
The steeple of a church in the desert Route 66 town of Amboy, California, will be restored by mid-month, according to the former manager of Roy's in Amboy. Carlos Aceves also said by text message last week the roof of the long-closed St. Raymond Church in Amboy also will be repaired this month. I began … Continue reading Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
Much of Pacific is under water
A report of more troubles from flooding in Missouri -- much of the Route 66 town of Pacific is under water, and it won't start to recede until sometime today. KTVI-TV in St. Louis reports: In 1982, the crest was 33.6 feet. The water came all the to train tracks on 1st Street. The projected … Continue reading Much of Pacific is under water
Gallup’s black eye
The Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, again finds itself in the news -- this time, nationally -- after the Associated Press focused on the abnormal number of exposure deaths there during the winter months. The news service put together these facts: Fourteen people succumbed to the cold between October 2014 and April, setting the … Continue reading Gallup’s black eye
A voice in support of Albuquerque’s Route 66 transit plan
Last summer, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry proposed a $100 million initiative to spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor. It would be two lanes of dedicated bus lines to mimic a light-rail system along Central Avenue. The so-called rapid-transit bus system would cover a 10-mile stretch of Central. Berry cited a study that ranked Albuquerque last among 20 Western cities … Continue reading A voice in support of Albuquerque’s Route 66 transit plan
Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
Normal, Illinois, plans to spend $260,000 for a multi-use trail connecting the Route 66 Bike Trail at Towanda Avenue and Shelbourne Drive to Old Route 66, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project, part of a bigger project to connect an old Route 66 bicycle trail in nearby Towanda, Illinois, is part of Normal's community investment plan. It's … Continue reading Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
Route 66 Festival in 2016 will have a new twist
Organizers say the 2016 International Route 66 Festival in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 10-13 will be the first time the festival is in a metropolitan setting. To that end, co-organizer Scott Piotrowski in an email noted another big difference potential attendees should to know: It is important to note that for the first time, … Continue reading Route 66 Festival in 2016 will have a new twist
“Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
The "Boomtown" film, a 41-minute documentary about the history of Tulsa that screened in theaters this summer, now is available on DVD, streaming and download. The film documents Tulsa's history, including its rise as an oil town and its key role in Route 66, with interview footage of "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and … Continue reading “Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming