A few days ago, we reported that the Mule Trading Post near Rolla, Mo., had restored an old, animated hillbilly sign that once graced the Hillbilly Store. Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog was in the area and shot a photo of the restored sign, shown above. The hillbilly's arms wave, no doubt drawing the … Continue reading Look at me
A salute to Mr. Pig Hip
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier was there when Illinois Route 66ers threw an early 90th birthday party Saturday for longtime Pig Hip restaurant owner Ernie Edwards in Broadwell, Ill. The Pig Hip may be gone, but for its former owner, Sunday's ceremonies brought back generations of memories. "It has been just a wonderful day," said Edwards. … Continue reading A salute to Mr. Pig Hip
Italians on the Mother Road
The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News reports that a new book, "Searching for Italy in America's Rural Heartland," contains a chapter about Italians who settled in the Rolla, Rosati and St. James region of central Missouri. In the chapter about Rosati, Calvitto notes that a group of immigrants from Italy came to the United States and … Continue reading Italians on the Mother Road
Get out the shovels
This Friday at noon, after 50 years underground, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere will be unearthed from a time capsule at Sixth Street and Denver Avenue in downtown Tulsa, Okla. Later that day, the Belvedere will be unveiled before an audience at the Tulsa Convention Center and live on television and the Internet. The car was … Continue reading Get out the shovels
Let’s go for a drive …
... and let John Mayer provide the soundtrack.
Another convert
YouTube contributor crack11974 writes: We started a cross country trip from Columbus, Ohio back home to San Diego, California. When we hit Route 66 territory in Oklahoma, we became obsessed with old 66 and the drive soon became a tour off the freeway seeing everything we could see on Old 66. Here is the video, … Continue reading Another convert
Walking to the future
The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press examines how the Route 66 town wants to transform its Old Town area into a growing, vibrant, "walkable" area. It's a laudable goal. But the key is to not abandon it if growth comes slowly. The United States -- and especially Southern California -- loves its cars, and it's going … Continue reading Walking to the future
Wrink’s Market may reopen next month
Wrink's Food Market, a longtime Route 66 business in Lebanon, Mo., until the death of its owner in 2005, is being prepared for a possible reopening in July, with a grand reopening likely around Labor Day weekend. Wrink's Market, which was a sort of dime store and food mart, had been operated by the ever-affable … Continue reading Wrink’s Market may reopen next month
Fire destroys Tucumcari building
The Sands Dorsey Drugstore building in the downtown area of the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., was destroyed by fire Friday. The building was not on Route 66, but the nearly century-old building at Second and Main streets was a landmark. The building was home to Gallery 111, owned by artists Doug and Sharon … Continue reading Fire destroys Tucumcari building
It was one year ago today …
One year ago today, Disney-Pixar released a new animated movie, "Cars." The movie starred Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, George Carlin and Cheech Marin. The film had another star that wasn't listed on marquees, but loomed large -- Route 66. The film grossed $460 million worldwide, won two Golden Globes … Continue reading It was one year ago today …