Oklahoma is celebrating its centennial this year. In this story in the Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press, local artist Murv Jacob has designed an Oklahoma Centennial clay plate. Who is producing the plate? Why, Frankoma Pottery on Route 66 near Sapulpa, of course. The plate should be available for sale "in a couple of months."
Road to Albuquerque was a “joke”
It's hard to believe now, but from 1926 until 1937, driving Route 66 from eastern New Mexico to Albuquerque was hardly a straight line. Near Santa Rosa, one had to drive north to Santa Fe, then drop southward, following a mostly parallel path of the Rio Grande, to the Duke City. The Free New Mexican … Continue reading Road to Albuquerque was a “joke”
Don’t be a cheapskate here
The Austin Chronicle took a trip up to the Route 66 town of Groom, Texas, to eat at the Blessed Mary's Restaurant. The restaurant isn't all that different compared to others in that part of the country. You can order coffee, cheeseburgers or enchiladas -- typical diner fare. The restaurant is unique in that you … Continue reading Don’t be a cheapskate here
A lodging option for Old Town tourists
Here's a place very close to historic Route 66 and the Old Town neighborhood of Albuquerque that I was previously unaware -- Bottger Mansion of Old Town. According to this travel article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Bottger, built in 1910, is the only survivor of four mansions built in Old Town. The B&B's … Continue reading A lodging option for Old Town tourists
Vintage gas station being restored
KOTV in Tulsa has a short article about a vintage Phillips 66 gas station in downtown being restored to its former appearance, including photos. The Vickery Phillips 66 station is located at 602 S. Elgin Ave. It's going to be converted into a rental-car business. In September 2006, it was awarded a grant from the … Continue reading Vintage gas station being restored
Joplin’s Seventh Street may see a rebirth
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports an upswing in developer interest in Seventh Street, a prominent alignment of historic Route 66. In the past three years, the city has issued 38 commercial building permits for work on Seventh Street — for a total of more than $6 million in new construction and renovation of existing structures. … Continue reading Joplin’s Seventh Street may see a rebirth
We’re back
We were gone all weekend to visit family, and there was no real Internet connection available. However, my parents finally have cable TV for the first time in their lives. So they're finally entering the latter portion of the 20th century. 😉 But there's plenty of news going on with Route 66, and you'll see … Continue reading We’re back
State police building named to National Historic Register
The now-closed Illinois State Police District 6 building at 15551 Old Route 66 in Pontiac was named to the National Register of Historic Places, announced the National Park Service today. The gun-shaped building was built in 1941, and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Association's Hall of Fame in 2000. Regrettably, I've not been … Continue reading State police building named to National Historic Register
Wearing of the green
St. Patrick's Day is coming up. That means it's time for the annual 61st St. Patrick's Day Celebration in the Route 66 town of Shamrock, Texas, this weekend. The Amarillo Globe-News has a preview story. For a festival schedule of events, go here.
Susan Wageman story touches hearts of readers
The San Jose Mercury-News' recent story about Susan Wageman, who was trying to learn to drive her husband's manual-transmission Corvette after he died unexpectedly, gained quite a response from readers. The newspaper printed several letters to the Roadshow column about it. Columnist Gary Richards also provided a few more details about Wageman since the story … Continue reading Susan Wageman story touches hearts of readers