The 2007-2008 edition of the ever-popular Oklahoma Route 66 Association Trip Guide is hitting the streets this week. Copies have been distributed at some state tourism centers, and over the course of the next few days, volunteers will be delivering copies to the association's member businesses across Oklahoma. The 72-page guide includes a full-color cover, … Continue reading Route 66 Trip Guide is out
Wayside Motel
Last weekend, on the way back to Tulsa from Illinois, I stayed overnight in the Wayside Motel at 7800 Watson Road (Route 66) in the St. Louis suburb of Marlborough, Mo. (map is here.) According to the late Skip Curtis' well-researched book, "The Missouri Route 66 Tour Book," the Wayside was built in 1940. It's … Continue reading Wayside Motel
Rebirth of old motels
This article from Travel + Leisure doesn't have any Route 66 content, but the stories about creative and driven owners who took over forlorn motels and turned them into unique attractions is required reading for anyone thinking about buying and rehabbing a vintage Route 66 motel. It's something that Bill Kinder at the Blue Swallow … Continue reading Rebirth of old motels
Route 66 Festival notes
The National Route 66 Festival is coming up in a few weeks in Clinton, Okla., on June 21-24, and here are a few items related to that event: -- The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a hands-on historic preservation project at the former Ray's Motel at 720 S. Eighth St. in Clinton from 11 … Continue reading Route 66 Festival notes
King and Krall
There's nice interplay between Natalie Cole and jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall during this version of "Route 66." In case you youngsters didn't know, Cole is the daughter of Nat King Cole, who popularized the Bobby Troup classic.
Rose Bowl back in the pink
As predicted here a few weeks ago,the Rose Bowl in Tulsa has been repainted back to some semblance of its original pink color, eschewing the red, white, blue and purple colors that it sported briefly before it closed, reports KOTV. Chris Whinery of Whinery Mortgage is the owner of the Rose Bowl, which was built … Continue reading Rose Bowl back in the pink
Vega restaurant set to open in June
Rory Schepisi, the runner-up on the CMT reality show "Popularity Contest," told me today that her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, will tentatively open on June 3 for a private party and on June 4 to the public. Schepisi said the only thing needed are private-club permits, and she … Continue reading Vega restaurant set to open in June
Route 66 license plates from New Mexico are available
If you're licensed to drive in the state of New Mexico, now's your chance to acquire the state's new Route 66 plates. The plate has "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" written on the top. A New Mexico "U.S. 66" seal is also on it. The design was submitted by Route 66 preservationist Bob Audette. … Continue reading Route 66 license plates from New Mexico are available
Hesperia’s Old Town Shops being renovated
Hesperia, Calif., is growing quickly, but a developer is seeking to preserve at least part of the town's roots by renovating the dilapidated Old Town Shops that were built in the 1950s, according to the Victorville Daily Press. (Hesperia is just south of Victorville.) Roofing work on the buildings began earlier this spring, and plans … Continue reading Hesperia’s Old Town Shops being renovated
Preserve those gas stations
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a story about how Route 66 communities in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are making greater efforts to restore their vintage gas stations. The story goes over territory that Route 66 News has already covered, but it does confirm that there indeed seems to be a movement afoot. … Continue reading Preserve those gas stations