I loathe to speak ill of the dead, except for the biggest scoundrels. Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson who died at age 94 on Wednesday, certainly wasn't a scoundrel. But the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which restricted billboards along our nation's highways, proved to be damaging to Route 66 businesses … Continue reading Lady Bird’s mixed legacy for Route 66
Pontiac panel approves two Route 66 murals
The Planning and Zoning Board for the city of Pontiac, Ill., approved variances for two Route 66-themed murals, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. One of them is on a brick wall behind the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum at 110 W. Howard St. The second is on a wall at Diaz Sign Art … Continue reading Pontiac panel approves two Route 66 murals
Rory Schepisi advances to top three in series
Rory Schepisi, the former "Popularity Contest" reality TV series contest who's about to open a new restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, advanced to the final three of another reality series, "The Next Food Network Star." Tune-in on Sunday, July 15th, at 9pm ET/PT as the remaining three finalists test their media skills when … Continue reading Rory Schepisi advances to top three in series
Living link to Route 66’s early history
The Portales News-Tribune in New Mexico scored an interview with a man who actually helped build Route 66. The man is Elmer Jones. He is 95 years old. He is the only member left from Portales' Class of 1931. As a young man in Childress, Texas, Jones, with his brother Allen, drove a team and … Continue reading Living link to Route 66’s early history
Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
Here's an interesting press release that should intrigue roadies: WHITTIER, Calif. -- Eagle II Motorsports Nostalgia Drag Racing Team announced today that they have been granted special permission from the holder of the Burma Shave registered trademark, to use the name and roadside jingles of the once famous shaving products line, for use in their … Continue reading Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
Will Catsup Bottle Summerfest return?
St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Amanda St. Amand wandered over to the informal gathering this past weekend near the World's Largest Catsup Bottle (it's actually a water tower) in Collinsville, Ill., after the namesake's annual festival was canceled several weeks ago. In essence, the festival got the ax during a dispute between the nonprofit Downtown Collinsville … Continue reading Will Catsup Bottle Summerfest return?
City of Rialto may tear down Orange Bowl
The residents of Rialto, Calif., are tired of long-abandoned properties that attract vagrants, vandalism and weeds. Among the targeted "eyesores" are the Orange Bowl and an old Shell station along Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The current owner of the Orange Bowl says he has gained two retail tenants … Continue reading City of Rialto may tear down Orange Bowl
“Route 66” remix
Here's a video for a remix of Depeche Mode's version of "Route 66." The footage is all over the place, but it's well-produced. There also is a clip near the end of the song's original composer, Bobby Troup, performing.
Aztec Hotel to be refurbished
The Pasadena Star-News reports that the lobby and bar of the historic Aztec Hotel on Route 66 in Monrovia, Calif., will undergo a $100,000 renovation in the coming weeks. That already had been reported here. However, today's story contains more details about a 20-day liquor-license suspension of the hotel's bar, The Brass Elephant. ABC cited … Continue reading Aztec Hotel to be refurbished
Miss Goodwrench
Here's a rarity: a full-service gas station. This one, Groneman's Service Center, is on Route 66 in Vega, Texas. Here's a bigger rarity: a girl who works at a full-service station. Heather Newton, 16, a soon-to-be junior at the local high school, is employed at Groneman's. Here's an excerpt from a story by the Amarillo … Continue reading Miss Goodwrench