Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Carl Hubbell was born in the Route 66 town of Carthage, Mo. He's the guy most famous for striking out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin consecutively in the 1934 All-Star Game. He also was the league MVP twice. If you've driven through Carthage and … Continue reading Carl who?
The ugly truth
The Lope traveled to the Panhandle of Texas and shot this and several other photos of the "Rattlesnakes -- Exit Now" sign that was blown down by severe storms a few weeks ago. I saw a similar photo in the recently mailed Texas Old Route 66 Association's newsletter, so I mostly knew what the damage … Continue reading The ugly truth
Cozy Dog makes finals
The Cozy Dog Drive-In along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., has advanced to the finals in the Central Division in the Seven Wonders of Illinois contest sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce. The Cozy Dog is going up against fellow finalist Allerton Park of Monticello. Strong lobbying by the Route 66 community helped the … Continue reading Cozy Dog makes finals
Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
After seemingly much indifference to the Mother Road for years, the city of Joliet, Ill., is embracing Route 66 tourism in a big way when it launches its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 campaign on June 2. According to the Herald-News: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will have a bunch of interactive displays, including watching … Continue reading Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
Illinois House passes police headquarters bill
The Illinois State Senate approved a bill Friday that would transfer ownership of the historic Illinois State Police District 6 building from the state to Livingston County for $1, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Senate Bill 768 goes on to the House. The pistol-shaped building, built on Route 66 near Pontiac in 1941, was recently … Continue reading Illinois House passes police headquarters bill
Busy first day for Skywalk
Nearly 2,000 people visited the Grand Canyon Skywalk during its first day open to the public on Wednesday, according to a news release from Grand Canyon West. At a minimum of $25 a pop, Skywalk grossed at least $50,000 on its first day. Not bad. The release also gives some details about future plans at … Continue reading Busy first day for Skywalk
Arson damages Winslow railroad bridge
At least one local teen has 'fessed up to starting a fire that damaged a BNSF railroad bridge just east of La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., reports the Winslow Daily Mail. Repair workers had the bridge shored up enough that train traffic resumed within a day.
End of era at Totem Pole Trading Post (UPDATED)
The Totem Pole Trading Post on Route 66 just west of Rolla, Mo., isn't going to close. But new ownership is taking over Friday afternoon, and the name -- which has been there since 1933 -- won't stay, according to the Rolla Daily News. According to this Rolla Chamber of Commerce release, Jones did not … Continue reading End of era at Totem Pole Trading Post (UPDATED)
Photographer’s exhibit in Kingman
Michael Campanelli's well-traveled collection of more than 150 photographs from Route 66 has made its way to the Mother Road city of Kingman, Ariz., according to the Kingman Daily Miner. The exhibit will be at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts through June 10.
Severe storms strike Texas Panhandle
According to the Amarillo Globe-News: [T]hree tractor-trailers were tangled together when what is believed to be a tornado crossed Interstate 40 between Groom and McLean. According to DPS, there were two injuries out of one of the trucks, one with serious injuries and the other with critical injuries. The westbound lane was closed. At least … Continue reading Severe storms strike Texas Panhandle