Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa

The Tulsa Downtown Partnership recently showed conceptual plans for the Center of the Universe, an odd echo-bounceback site in downtown that's near an old alignment of Route 66. According to the Tulsa World: The proposed improvements include a shade structure over the Center of the Universe, shaded seating near the north and south entrances to … Continue reading Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa

Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

Mel's Drive-In restaurants, which includes a location at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, marked its 75th birthday on Dec. 14 at its eight locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions. On its birthday, the regional chain offered 75% off classic food items, including the Mel burger, country eggs, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”

Recently, Professor of Rock took a deep dive behind the genesis of "Take It Easy," the 1972 song co-written by Jackson Browne that became a key hit single for the Eagles and their first. The host touches on obscure facts behind the tune, then wraps it up in a poignant way with memories about his … Continue reading The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”

The man behind the scrap-metal elephant sculpture in Lexington

Along the side of Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, is an 11-foot-tall elephant sculpture made of scrap metal, titled "American Standard." It's become a photo-op, as it's listed on the Roadside America website and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway site. According to a recent profile by NPR affiliate WGLT Radio, the artist behind the … Continue reading The man behind the scrap-metal elephant sculpture in Lexington

Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau honored for Route 66 mural trail

The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism recently honored the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau with a Cooperative Partnership award for The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 Postcard Mural Trail. More about the honor from The Alton Telegraph newspaper: Working with 12 different Route 66 communities to create a vivid Route 66 … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau honored for Route 66 mural trail

Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup

A native of Gallup, New Mexico, who became a war hero in Korea and earned a Congressional Medal of Honor was laid to rest a few days ago in his Route 66 hometown. Hiroshi Miyamura, 97, died last month in Phoenix and was brought back to the town of his birth Saturday at Sunset Memorial … Continue reading Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup

Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence

Two Albuquerque businesses with strong Route 66 roots recently received Awards of Excellence from the New Mexico chapter of the NAIOP. In the hospitality division, M'Tucci's Bar Roma at 3222 Centra Ave. (aka Route 66) won an award. The reason for the honor: This 14,340-square-foot location consists of two buildings: the main building is the … Continue reading Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence

New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days

On Friday, Ace Sign Co. installed a new sign at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, that is a throwback to the Route 66 landmark's earlier days. The restaurant posted this photo of the sign, stating it wasn't yet completely functional but should be next week: About a week before the installation, Ace Sign … Continue reading New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days

Chairman of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership endorses Route 66 National Historic Trail bill

The chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership has endorsed a bill recently introduced by three U.S. senators to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, all Republicans, last week introduced bill number S.5170 that would amend the National … Continue reading Chairman of Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership endorses Route 66 National Historic Trail bill

“Magic and history”: Participant recounts her experience in the Route 66 UltraRun

One of the participants of last month's 140-mile Route 66 UltraRun in western Arizona wrote about her experiences in Ultra Running Magazine. Jodi Weiss, who has competed in almost three dozen ultramarathons, said "Guardian Angel of Route 66" Angel Delgadillo, 95, waved the starting flag for the Route 66 Ultrarun in Seligman. Temperatures were about … Continue reading “Magic and history”: Participant recounts her experience in the Route 66 UltraRun