The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recently repainted its giant slide with an Illinois Route 66 shield. Springfield tourism director Scott Dahl recently posted a photo of the historic slide on social media: The 40-foot-tall and 130-foot-long slide was erected in 1968 and is near the fair's main gate. It was one of 40 originally designed … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme
Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine
Local developer David Sharp has been chosen from three suitors to construct a Route 66 mixed-use development on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa that will include a car vending machine. The City of Tulsa is expected to formally announce the decision on the development today, but the Tulsa World received confirmation from … Continue reading Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine
New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
The new owners of Sunflower Station next door to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, announced plans for the site when they plan to reopen it in spring 2023, including placing guest cabins in the back of the property. Jason and Kelly Snyder, enthusiasts of Route 66 and motorcycles, acquired the property last year … Continue reading New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
The landmark Lucille's Service Station along Route 66 near Hydro, Oklahoma, sustained moderate damage from a tornado, but a nearby office building designed to look like the original motel was more ravaged. KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City shot footage from a helicopter of the site. As you can see, the original station suffered a little … Continue reading Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
Scenes from the Historic Route 66 Fun Run in Arizona
Frank Kocevar, a former owner of Historic Seligman Sundries, took his video camera to Seligman and other parts of western Arizona during the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run last weekend. It was the first time in two years the Fun Run had been held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event. in its 33rd … Continue reading Scenes from the Historic Route 66 Fun Run in Arizona
Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract
The state of Oklahoma last week filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Swadley's Bar-B-Q, and Oklahoma Tourism chief Jerry Winchester resigned after he and the small restaurant chain were implicated over allegations of fraud and overspending with concessions at six state parks. The contract is being investigated by state police and is undergoing an audit by … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract
The strange tale of Mrs. Orcutt’s driveway near Newberry Springs
It sounds like the stuff of fiction: The federal government relented and built a more than 4-mile-long driveway to the home of a resolute widow who lived near Newberry Springs, California, and insisted her home have access to old Route 66. The driveway then became an illegal test track for Car and Driver magazine. The … Continue reading The strange tale of Mrs. Orcutt’s driveway near Newberry Springs
Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66
The Google Doodle on Google's homepage on Saturday will contain a commissioned work of an artist's representation of Route 66. Allison Hacker of M Booth Communications alerted us to the forthcoming Google Doodle in an email about two weeks ago: While every Doodle has a story behind it, this specific one has a 2,448-mile-long journey. … Continue reading Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66
Texas Old Route 66 Association officers freshen up the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian
Officers of the Texas Old Route 66 Association this week repainted the on-road markers of the so-called midpoint of Route 66, directly across from the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. The association posted a bunch of photos of those members repainting the midpoint stripe on the road and its nearby Route 66 shields. I'm sure … Continue reading Texas Old Route 66 Association officers freshen up the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian