The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., has come up with a novel way to decorate its downtown, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph: The Pontiac City Council voted Monday to spend about $8,000 to purchase nine fiberglass models of 1957 convertibles, three of 1930s-era pickup trucks and artist supplies. The cars will be about 5½ feet … Continue reading Four-wheeled flourishes
Category: Towns
Needles’ only grocery likely will close
This is a fairly catastrophic situation for the Route 66 town of Needles, Calif. I'll let an excerpt of a report from the Whittier Daily News explain: Bashas', the only grocery store in this tiny Colorado River town on old Route 66 is closing for good in six weeks. Its owners made the announcement this … Continue reading Needles’ only grocery likely will close
Waynesville is hopping
This story in the Pulaski County Daily contains several interesting items that indicate the Route 66 town of Wayneville, Mo., is on the verge of an economic revival, if it isn't already. The city’s sales-tax revenue rose 7 percent last year -- a big contrast to many area towns that are seeing double-digit decreases. And … Continue reading Waynesville is hopping
Notes from the road
It looks like planning on the proposed Route 66 bicycle trail in Logan County, Ill., is proceeding again after a hiatus. The county board this week discussed the possibility of leasing a gravel road parallel to the railroad tracks from AmerenCILCO to use as part of Logan County’s portion in the statewide, north-south bike route, … Continue reading Notes from the road
Granddaughter of Amboy’s former owner contests will
The granddaughter of the former owner of the Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif., has filed a lawsuit in an effort to get answers about the late grandmother's estate, reported the Redlands Daily Facts. Amboy, which includes the famous Roy's restaurant and motel complex, was purchased by Juan Pollo restaurant chain owner Albert Okura for … Continue reading Granddaughter of Amboy’s former owner contests will
Notes from the road
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has nominated the Route 66 city of St. Louis as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, it was announced this week. Such destinations "offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment … Continue reading Notes from the road
Notes from the road
If you're traveling the Mother Road this week, you may have to make other plans for the midsection. As this map from the National Weather Service shows, the Route 66 corridor is under a winter storm warning all the way from about Springfield, Mo., to Gallup, N.M. -- much of it freezing rain. Authorities closed … Continue reading Notes from the road
Notes from the road
The Pontiac Walldog Committee, which has helped beautify downtown Pontiac, Ill., with a series of murals and related festivals, now wants to open a Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, according to news release from the city's tourism department. The primary purpose of the museum is to pay homage to the men and … Continue reading Notes from the road
Williams may change street’s name to Route 66
Tucked away in a story posted today by the Williams-Grand Canyon News about the Williams, Ariz., city council was this little item: Council members also discussed whether to change the name of Mountain Man Trail to Route 66, or "Old Route 66," during the Jan. 14 meeting, but decided to table the matter for discussion … Continue reading Williams may change street’s name to Route 66
Notes from the road
The historic Riviera Restaurant on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., reopened on New Year's Eve. Check out this story in the Batavia Sun about it. However, there is one potential snag that will be worth watching: The new owner is dealing with a request from the Gardner Fire Department to put in an expensive commercial … Continue reading Notes from the road