Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary

This year's edition of the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival is going to be a two-day affair, with Bloomington-Normal added to its list of towns to visit. The May 6-7 event, which starts in Joliet, lengthens to 100 miles and 14 communities, according to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary

Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston expands on tradition from old Pioneer Camp site

Though the historic Pioneer Camp restaurant in Wellston, Oklahoma, has been closed for more than a decade after a fire, Butcher BBQ Stand set up camp at the property eight years ago and has proven to be phenomenally popular. The Oklahoman newspaper recently published a feature about Levi Bouska and his establishment at 3402 W. … Continue reading Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston expands on tradition from old Pioneer Camp site

Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign

Oklahoma Tourism earlier in the week announced the launch of its "Imagine That" campaign where Route 66 features prominently in the mix. According to a news release, it is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 the agency has released a campaign of this scale … Continue reading Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign

Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a five-year, $312,000 grant to a group of anthropologists so it can create a comprehensive map of the Cahokia Mounds site near Collinsville, Illinois. The project using magnetometry equipment would be the largest archaeo-geophysical project to date in all the Americas, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. For this project they … Continue reading Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis

Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot

Community members recently brought up some ideas for the possible redevelopment of Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, including bringing back train rides. The Downtown Joplin Alliance asked about 80 residents to provide possible uses for the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. A group of students and faculty from Kansas State University and architectural students … Continue reading Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot

Old Standard station in Eagle Rock is on its way to being historic-cultural monument

A tiny Standard gas station that's more than 100 years old likely will be designated a historic-cultural monument after the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission approved its nomination from the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society. The City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee is expected to pass the measure at a later date. The station … Continue reading Old Standard station in Eagle Rock is on its way to being historic-cultural monument

Notable Route 66 enthusiast and educator Becky Ransom dies at 61

Becky Ransom, a Route 66 fan who used that enthusiasm for years in the classroom and at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, died suddenly in Wyoming on Feb. 8. She was 61. According to her obituary, a joint celebration of life will be held for Ramsom and her father, Wayne Ransom, on July … Continue reading Notable Route 66 enthusiast and educator Becky Ransom dies at 61

All 13 rooms at Boots Court motel in Carthage now available for overnight stays

The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, announced all 13 of its rooms now are available for overnight travelers. The owners in a Facebook post proclaimed it was the first time "in decades" all the rooms can be booked. That includes the fabled Clark Gable Room; No. 6 was used by the movie star … Continue reading All 13 rooms at Boots Court motel in Carthage now available for overnight stays

Partial teardown begins of Glancy Motel in Clinton

A partial demolition of the historic Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, began a few days ago, likely making way for a new state police station. Route 66 enthusiast Nick Gerlich happened to be driving through town when he encountered the demolition crews at work on the site at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66). … Continue reading Partial teardown begins of Glancy Motel in Clinton

“Route 66 Simulator” videogame coming later this year

A new videogame called "Route 66 Simulator" is coming to the Steam platform later this year. The developers are Grande Games, NPC Games and Playway, and the expected release date is the third quarter of 2023. Here's a brief description of the game: Have you ever dreamed about leaving everything behind and setting out on … Continue reading “Route 66 Simulator” videogame coming later this year