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
Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department this week canceled a state parks contract with Swadley's Bar-B-Q -- a regional chain with Route 66 roots -- “due to suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the contract for several weeks. The local district attorney and state auditor … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism
Visitors at the iconic Blue Whale site off Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, will be unable to climb into the whale's interior after someone vandalized that space with spraypaint last week. According to Channel 2 in nearby Tulsa: “Yesterday morning, a sweet family who had climbed up the blue whale’s head for the great photo … Continue reading Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism
Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next
The closed Western Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was torn down a few days ago, and the similarly shuttered Sun 'n Sand Motel in town likely is next, reported a local newspaper. The latest print edition of The Communicator newspaper, based in Santa Rosa, posted a photo with the headline "History Passing" and this … Continue reading Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next
Concept cars from the 1950s will be displayed at forthcoming Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque
Two concept cars conceived by a New Mexico resident during the 1950s will be on loan at the Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side when the facility opens later this spring. An artist's rendering of Leopold Garcia's "Bubbles Car." Leopold E. Garcia's “Bubbles Car” and “City Car" will be part of the visitors … Continue reading Concept cars from the 1950s will be displayed at forthcoming Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque
Oatman Road may see up to $2 million worth of improvements
The fabled Oatman Road stretch of Route 66 that connects to Oatman, Arizona, may see up to $2 million in improvements. According to KNAU radio: Two project proposals were submitted earlier this month by the Public Works Department in Mohave County with about $1.3 million going towards construction of safety measures like rumble strips and … Continue reading Oatman Road may see up to $2 million worth of improvements