Jim Hinckley, an author and roadie in Kingman, Ariz., recently sent me Route 66 updates regarding his town. Demolition has begun on a block of several moribund and closed businesses on Route 66, including the City Cafe, the Imperial Motel and a Texaco gas station that dated to the 1940s. A Walgreens drug store is … Continue reading Updates from Kingman
Category: Towns
Pontiac’s prison is saved
The city of Pontiac, Ill., which had been under the imminent threat of the closure of its prison for months, learned Thursday that the nearly 140-year-old facility will remain open. The decision preserves nearly 600 jobs and an estimated $54 million in revenue. The announcement to keep Pontiac Correction Center open was made by new … Continue reading Pontiac’s prison is saved
Sears Tower name change isn’t going over well
I learned late yesterday that the name of the Sears Tower, which is among the world's tallest buildings and is on Route 66 in Chicago, would be changed to the Willis Tower after the British-based Willis Group Holdings acquired naming rights. The first thing I thought was: "Chicagoans aren't going to cotton to this." Apparently … Continue reading Sears Tower name change isn’t going over well
A thorny situation in Seligman
Here's a thorny situation in the Route 66 town of Seligman, Ariz. According to the Arizona Republic, Cemex wants to build a big cement plant on the outskirts of town, thus creating jobs and boosting Seligman's tax base. But folks also are concerned that the plant will be a big-time polluter, fouling the air of … Continue reading A thorny situation in Seligman
Route 66 association re-formed in Kingman
MohaveBusiness.com has details about the newly formed Kingman Route 66 Association, based in Kingman, Ariz. And it's interesting what the association's president has to say: One of our primary goals is to create attractions for people instead of just being a stopover,” association president Tim McDonnell said. “Our motel occupancy is off the chart, but … Continue reading Route 66 association re-formed in Kingman
“Am I Right (or Amarillo)”
Here's Asleep at the Wheel, doing a song featuring one of Route 66's key cities. Be on the lookout for several Route 66 landmarks in this video:
Winslow is adding a museum
A travel article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about attractions in the Southwest -- including a new hotel with incredible views of Monument Valley -- includes information about the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz. There's the usual Winslow stuff about La Posada and Standin' on a Corner Park. But there's a tidbit of which … Continue reading Winslow is adding a museum
Tucumcari may make another bet on racetrack
Tucumcari, N.M., is betting that another horse-racing license will come open in the next two years and has decided to keep its option on purchasing land between Interstate 40 and Route 66, reports the Quay County Sun. Tucumcari lobbied hard last year to get the racetrack, but the state awarded the license to Raton, N.M. … Continue reading Tucumcari may make another bet on racetrack
Hometown of Castle Car Wash eyed for preservation
The unique Castle Car Wash building on Ogden Avenue, aka Route 66, in the Chicago suburb of North Lawndale has recently become the target of preservationists. Now, according to the Chicago Tribune, other parts of Lawndale are being considered as important historic sites, and the car-wash building is now considered a catalyst in the effort: … Continue reading Hometown of Castle Car Wash eyed for preservation
“House of the Rising Sun” in Baxter Springs?
The answer to the question: Sort of. The story behind this is complicated. So bear with me. I just finished reading Ted Anthony's excellent 2007 book, "Chasing the Rising Sun," which traces the tangled and twisted origins of the famous song, "House of the Rising Sun." It's nearly certain that you've heard the tune. But … Continue reading “House of the Rising Sun” in Baxter Springs?