Dan Rice, proprietor of the 66 to Cali apparel shack at the Santa Monica Pier, sent a fascinating e-mail today that gives some historical background behind the upcoming dedication of a new "End of the Trail" Route 66 sign at the pier next week. The gist of it is that Route 66's original western terminus … Continue reading More about Santa Monica’s role on Route 66
Category: Towns
Route 66 town gets White House recognition
The village of Plainfield, Ill., received a recognition from first lady Michelle Obama that it was designated a Preserve America Community, according to the Joliet Herald News. According to the article: The Preserve America designation is based on a community's efforts to promote heritage tourism, to protect its heritage resources and to protect and recognize … Continue reading Route 66 town gets White House recognition
A postcard of Elkhart
Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register has been writing a series for the newspaper called Illinois Postcards, which delve historical and social facets of the town. Today, the latest edition is about the Route 66 town of Elkhart. One of the most notable things about Elkhart is a hill that stands 777 feet … Continue reading A postcard of Elkhart
Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
The old bridge that carried U.S. 66 over the Meramec River at the former town of Times Beach, Mo., was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an e-mail Friday from the National Park Service. The bridge now serves to carry travelers into Route 66 State Park. According to the excellent … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
New mural in Cuba
Cuba, Mo., which now is being called Mural City for good reason, sports a new mural at My Place Tires, at 1203 W. Washington St. (aka Route 66). According to the Cuba Free Press, the mural was painted by Missouri artist Ray Harvey. “The location on Route 66 and the attention the art will receive … Continue reading New mural in Cuba
Graveyard tours included in Cuba festival
Cuba Fest, an annual festival thrown by Viva Cuba in the Route 66 town of Cuba, Mo., is holding a chili cook-off, a trolley tour of the town's many murals, and a celebratory gathering in front of Recklein Auditorium, according to an article in the Cuba Free Press. However, it's this activity during the festival … Continue reading Graveyard tours included in Cuba festival
Man stakes faith in newspapers in Santa Rosa
In the New York Times, you can read about the tale of M.E. Sprengelmeyer, a former star reporter with the now-defunct Rocky Mountain News who recently purchased a small weekly newspaper in the Route 66 town of Santa Rosa, N.M., and is determined to make a go of it. The newspaper is the Guadalupe County … Continue reading Man stakes faith in newspapers in Santa Rosa
Baxter Springs trades cowtown heritage for Route 66
The town of Baxter Springs, Kan., is holding a downtown Route 66 Fall Festival on Saturday night. According to the Joplin Globe, the festival is going to be a sort of dress rehearsal for the 2010 Mother Road Marathon. What I didn't know, however, is that Baxter Springs is phasing out its longtime Cowtown Days … Continue reading Baxter Springs trades cowtown heritage for Route 66
A ghost town … sorta
The Arizona Republic has compiled a short list of ghost towns in the state that tourists might find worth visiting. The Route 66 town of Oatman, famed for its semi-wild burros and Wild West vibe, made the cut. Now ... when I picture a ghost town, I'm thinking of a burg that's nearly deserted and … Continue reading A ghost town … sorta
Another festival weekend
After a number of Route 66 festivals last weekend, including the Route 66 Rendezvous, this coming weekend is also shaping up to be a busy weekend for Mother Roaders. The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show is returning for its eighth edition in Springfield, Ill. And, despite a poor economy, signs are … Continue reading Another festival weekend