Category: Towns

Don’t bypass me by

The towns of Holbrook and Winslow, Ariz., like a lot of towns on Route 66, saw a big decrease in traffic when they were bypassed by Interstate 40. Now, according to AzJournal.com, there is a transportation plan afoot that would bypass even more traffic from those towns onto I-40. In Holbrook, a proposal has been … Continue reading Don’t bypass me by

Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a good story about Route 66 aficionado Jim Hinckley and his efforts to kick-start more Route 66 tourism in Kingman -- efforts which seem to be finally bearing fruit. The Kingman Route 66 Association recently reformed, and Kingman's historic downtown is being revitalized. He's been doing his part by … Continue reading Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

Not in my Valle Vista

I recently received e-mails from a group, Concerned Citizens of Valle Vista & Surrounding Areas, that is opposing a proposed biodiesel plant near the subdivision of Valle Vista, about 15 miles northeast of Kingman, Ariz. The group said the plant would "potentially degrade a nice stretch of historic Route 66," and advocated relocating it "more … Continue reading Not in my Valle Vista

Mural-painting begins in Pontiac

The painting of several murals by volunteer Walldogs artists in the Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., began Wednesday, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader. One of the murals will feature a Route 66 theme, on the wall of DeLongs' Casual Dining at 201 N. Mill St. The Walldogs should be done with the murals by … Continue reading Mural-painting begins in Pontiac

“East St. Louis Blues”

Here's an interesting slide show of the Route 66 town of East St. Louis, Ill. It captures the city's decay and glimpses of its long-ago glory fairly well. Music is by Eddie Fisher & The Next 100 Years, from an album recorded in St. Louis in 1971 and produced by St. Louis music legend Oliver … Continue reading “East St. Louis Blues”

Back in business

The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a story about the resurrection of the Kingman Route 66 Association. The goals, according to association President Tim McDonnell: The first is to establish a new Web site promoting the city's proximity to other Arizona attractions, including Oatman, Peach Springs and the Grand Canyon. The Web site, dubbed "Destination … Continue reading Back in business

Downtown Miami named to National Register

The downtown district of Miami, Okla., has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a weekly e-mail sent by the National Park Service on Friday. The district is roughly bounded by Main Street (aka Route 66), Central Avenue and SE A Street. That includes the block where the historic Coleman Theatre … Continue reading Downtown Miami named to National Register

Notes from the road

We learned Thursday that longtime roadie Jeff Meyer, aka the Route 66 Roadologist, is in the hospital after having health problems earlier in the week, and he is undergoing tests. Meyer has been exploring Route 66 for more than two decades, is a founding member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, and was given the … Continue reading Notes from the road

Would high-speed train benefit Route 66 town?

This is an interesting development for the Route 66 town of Victorville, Calf., if it happens ... VICTORVILLE - Construction crews could begin work on a proposed high-speed rail line to Las Vegas as early as next year, executives with the company behind the project said. [...] The DesertXpress idea is based on the assumption … Continue reading Would high-speed train benefit Route 66 town?