The play and film "West Side Story" is well known as the story of a fictional turf war between white and Puerto Rican street gangs in Manhattan. However, "West Side Story" was inspired by a real-life gang fight in 1955 in San Bernardino, California, about a half-mile north of Route 66. The historic Mitla Cafe … Continue reading Real-life gang fight in San Bernardino inspired “West Side Story”
Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
The Route 66 town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the surrounding area continue to be in shock and sorrow after a powerful tornado Friday caused the collapse of an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six workers. According to reporting by the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, the roof and 11-inch-thick concrete walls collapsed … Continue reading Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
Inaugural class for Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame announced
The first five inductees to the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame recently were announced by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society in mid-Missouri. The Class of 2022 are: Bob and Ramona Lehman, owners of the Munger Moss Motel in LebanonFrank and Dorothy Nelson, creator of Nelson's Dream Village and Nelson Tavern in LebanonCharles … Continue reading Inaugural class for Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame announced
Racing legend and Albuquerque native Al Unser dies at 82
Al Unser, an Albuquerque native who was one of the few to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, died Thursday at his home in Chama, New Mexico, after a 17-year battle with cancer. He was 82. Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt in June 2021 Unser was the third member of his racing family … Continue reading Racing legend and Albuquerque native Al Unser dies at 82
Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
If you want to see what likely is the king of outdoor Christmas decorating, Mike Holtz's home in Normal, Illinois, probably rules them all. Holtz's residence at 1210 W. Hovey Ave., a half-mile west of Route 66, features about 900 blow-mold Santas, gingerbread men, snowmen, reindeer and even a few aliens in his yard, on … Continue reading Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow near Barstow, California, recently dedicated a 6-foot-tall metal sculpture, signs and road stencils where the military service's eagle, globe and anchor emblem also comes with a Route 66 shield. The Stars and Stripes newspaper had the story: The symbol, made up of a highway shield superimposed over the service’s emblem, … Continue reading Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow incorporates Route 66 shield to its emblem
Sky Railway makes its first run between Santa Fe and Lamy
Railroad buffs have a new attraction to check out if they're in northern New Mexico. The Sky Railway made its debut Dec. 3 from downtown Santa Fe to Lamy with a dragon-painted locomotive. It was the first run on those 16 miles of tracks in eight years, though Amtrak makes regular stops in Lamy. A … Continue reading Sky Railway makes its first run between Santa Fe and Lamy
Tee Pee Drive-In in Sapulpa offers a preview of its forthcoming neon sign
The Sapulpa Crossroads group offered a sneak peek of a 25-foot-tall neon sign that will be installed at the reopening of the Tee Pee Drive-In theater on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The organization also stated in a Facebook post the theater will reopen in April. In an ironic twist, a prospective operator of … Continue reading Tee Pee Drive-In in Sapulpa offers a preview of its forthcoming neon sign
Tesla adding 14 Superchargers at Kingman Visitor Center site
Tesla recently began construction at the Kingman Visitor Center in Kingman, Arizona, to add 14 Superchargers for the company's electric vehicles. The fact the site also houses a collection of antique electric vehicles seems altogether appropriate, though that museum soon will be moved to a new site on Beale Street in Kingman, one block off … Continue reading Tesla adding 14 Superchargers at Kingman Visitor Center site
The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants
Blue Miller of the well-researched Never Quite Lost blog recently wrote about Charley Diaz, longtime operator of the Charley's Automotive Service, aka Charley's Radiator Shop, in Grants, New Mexico. The long-closed complex of five buildings included a restaurant, Star Cafe, at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). It was designated to the National … Continue reading The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants