If you've never received a tour inside the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, a recent article by an area newspaper will give you the next best thing. The Bloomington Pantagraph posted a bunch of photographs and a video of the historic landmark just off Route 66 as part of its "Off Limits" … Continue reading J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed
Kevin Harvick’s racecar will sport Mobil 1 / Route 66 paint job during race on Saturday
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang racecar will feature a Mobil 1 / Route 66 paint job during the Cup Series finale at Daytona International Speedway. According to Heavy.com, the car "will feature the rock formations that sit along the iconic highway, as well as a blue skyline. The purpose of … Continue reading Kevin Harvick’s racecar will sport Mobil 1 / Route 66 paint job during race on Saturday
Fire damages Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo
Texas Ivy Antiques, a longtime Route 66 supporter in Amarillo, Texas, sustained damage in a suspected electrical fire on Tuesday. Dora Meroney, one of the co-owners, said the fire was "bad, but not a total loss," and posted this message on Facebook later that day: No one was here when it happened so no one … Continue reading Fire damages Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo
Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners
Country Classic Cars, a mainstay along Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois, for almost a quarter-century, has new proprietors after the previous owners decided to retire. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Josh and Candi Laurent bought out longtime owners Russ and Anita Noel, who plan to travel around the country. The business' Facebook page made … Continue reading Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners
City officials consider plan to draw more visitors to Joplin History and Mineral Museum
City officials in Joplin, Missouri, gave initial approval to PGAV Destinations of St. Louis to examine the Joplin History and Mineral Museum and find ways to make it more attractive to potential visitors. I wouldn't necessarily say the Joplin Globe newspaper buried the lede, but the very last paragraph of its story stuck out: Because … Continue reading City officials consider plan to draw more visitors to Joplin History and Mineral Museum
About 65,000 people attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, tying its record
Organizers for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, say the recent event drew about 65,000 people, which tied the record set in 2019. No festival occurred in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers during previous festivals had projected attendance of 70,000 to 80,000 people. According to the Springfield Business … Continue reading About 65,000 people attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, tying its record
Ace Sign Co. gives a preview of A. Lincoln Motel sign replica coming to state fairgrounds
The Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, provided a sneak peek a few days ago of a facsimile of the A. Lincoln Motel neon sign that stood along Route 66 in the city. The sign eventually will be incorporated with the Legends Neon Park as part of the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State … Continue reading Ace Sign Co. gives a preview of A. Lincoln Motel sign replica coming to state fairgrounds
Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
The Heartland of America Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma, recently opened an exhibit about the state's civil defense preparations amid the U.S.-Soviet Union Cold War. According to KCEO radio, Southwest Oklahoma State University history professor and museum board member Landry Brewer acquired those items for the “Preparing to Survive Nuclear Attack: Western Oklahoma Cold War Civil … Continue reading Heartland of America Museum unveils exhibit of Cold War civil defense items
Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
West of Springfield, Missouri, down a rural section of Route 66, Yeakley Chapel boasts a congregation that predates the Mother Road by 60 years and a chapel itself that predates the highway by four decades. KSMU radio, a PBS station in the area, posted a story about the Methodist congregation there, which dates to the … Continue reading Yeakley Chapel west of Springfield predates Route 66 by about 40 years
Wayside Inn near Hazelgreen was a bar but never was a motel
The long-closed Wayside Inn bar near Hazelgreen, Missouri, reputedly once was said to be a motel, but recently uncovered evidence has refuted that claim. It goes to show that even as Route 66 approaches its centennial, new or obscure information can be unearthed about the highway and its businesses. Gary Sosniecki, a longtime journalist, posted … Continue reading Wayside Inn near Hazelgreen was a bar but never was a motel