Duarte’s Route 66 parade

The city of Duarte, Calif., held its annual Route 66 Parade this weekend. The Pasadena Star-News filed this report about it, and this amateur video does a good enough job showing what it was like: https://youtu.be/rAc7QoUJfo8

New “Tucumcari Tonite!” billboard

A new billboard usually isn't anything special. But this one for the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., boasts a retro look that's difficult to ignore. Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, said in an e-mail: We’re helping to celebrate New Mexico’s Centennial 1912-2012 this time, with a turquoise colored background, much … Continue reading New “Tucumcari Tonite!” billboard

More Route 66 signs installed in Oklahoma City

Finishing a four-year project, Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation installed about 30 Route 66 road signs in the metro area, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. State Sen. David Holt said it was done to help direct Route 66 travelers through the city. Holt [...] noted there were only a half-dozen or so signs … Continue reading More Route 66 signs installed in Oklahoma City

Avilla residents make plea to save post office

About 35 residents attended a public hearing Thursday to plead with the U.S. Postal Service to not close the post office in Avilla, Mo., as a part of cost-cutting measures, reported the Carthage Press. Thirty-five doesn't sound like much -- until you realize that Avilla's population, according to the 2000 Census, was about 130. (2010 … Continue reading Avilla residents make plea to save post office

Arcadia mayor voices concern over Route 66 changes

The mayor of Arcadia, Okla., is expressing concern about a number of improvements planned for Oklahoma Highway 66 (aka Route 66) through her town, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans to widen 66 to four lanes from Post Road near Edmond to about Winchester Westminster Road in Arcadia, which is right next … Continue reading Arcadia mayor voices concern over Route 66 changes

Progress report for Rancho’s Foothill project

The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin today posted what essentially is a progress report on the Route 66 / Foothill Boulevard project in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., including a new overpass over the road. The project includes a new Baker Avenue Bridge to replace an 81-year-old bridge over Foothill that was removed. The new bridge for the … Continue reading Progress report for Rancho’s Foothill project

Depew annexes Route 66 Biker Park land

Trustees for the town of Depew, Okla., voted on July 28 to annex 120 acres several miles from the town that includes Charles Elliott's Route 66 Biker Park, pending approval by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, reported the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The only remaining hurdle is ODOT allowing Elliott the mow the right-of-way next to … Continue reading Depew annexes Route 66 Biker Park land

Burro attack!

A few days ago, I responded with skepticism that Oatman, Ariz., would be "devastated" (as one local put it) if its post office were shut down. Here's one of the big reasons Oatman will continue to be a popular stop for Route 66ers and other tourists: https://youtu.be/Ceab6sC1tvA It's oddball experiences like that -- and the … Continue reading Burro attack!

Possible closure endangers unique postal stamp

Last week, we reported that more than a dozen towns along Route 66 may see their post offices closed as a cost-cutting move. That list included the western Arizona town of Oatman. But here's a unique angle from the Mohave Daily News on the possible closure of the Oatman post office: While nearly all post … Continue reading Possible closure endangers unique postal stamp

Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism

We're starting to see a pattern here ... Northern Arizona -- namely the city of Flagstaff and surround Coconino County -- saw record levels of tourism in 2010, while the rest of the state declined, reported Arizona Public Media. And Route 66 takes part of the credit. Travelers spent $948 million in Coconino County in … Continue reading Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism