In another sign Route 66 is recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, Amarillo reported stronger-than-expected tourism numbers in late 2020. KAMR-TV in Amarillo got some interesting data from the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau: What they saw was last quarter of 2020 numbers outperforming numbers they saw in 2019, which itself was a growth year for … Continue reading Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic
Daniel Webster High School in Tulsa added to National Register of Historic Places
Daniel Webster High School, located right off Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service, which runs the National Register program, confirmed the designation during a weekly email Friday. The listing was effective Thursday. According to a story last fall in the Tulsa World, … Continue reading Daniel Webster High School in Tulsa added to National Register of Historic Places
Kingman self-guided tours plan involves a life-size statue of Jim Hinckley
Kingman Main Street in Kingman, Arizona, recently unveiled a plan for self-guided tours that includes a life-size statue of Route 66 author and resident Jim Hinckley. The public arts project is being called “Kingman Tours: A Walkabout Kingman with Jim Hinckley.” According to a website devoted to the project: A Walkabout Kingman with Jim Hinckley … Continue reading Kingman self-guided tours plan involves a life-size statue of Jim Hinckley
Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will hold its first induction ceremony on Aug. 31 at the city's Rialto Square Theatre after it was postponed from March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement about the ceremony was made Friday on WJOL radio: “Last year’s debut event was postponed due … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre
Liquor store on Route 66 in Lebanon marks 75 years
The Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, is marking its 75th year this year along Route 66. But there's another business in town that's also marking its 75th anniversary. That would be the Orchard Hills Package Store at Washington Avenue and Elm Street (aka Route 66). The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society reported more of … Continue reading Liquor store on Route 66 in Lebanon marks 75 years
Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield sees 895% increase in business from a year ago
In a sign of rapidly improving business on Route 66 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri, is reporting a spectacular rise in overnight bookings from a year ago. How spectacular? How about an 895% increase? Phyllis Ferguson reopened the historic motel at 2200 W. College St. (aka … Continue reading Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield sees 895% increase in business from a year ago
Century-old Webb City streetcar rolling again after being sidelined during pandemic
The No. 60 streetcar, built in 1916, is rolling again around King Jack Park in Webb City, Missouri, after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. King Jack Park probably is best-known for its Praying Hands Memorial on the north side of the grounds. The Southwest Missouri Electric Railway trolley runs on the park's … Continue reading Century-old Webb City streetcar rolling again after being sidelined during pandemic
Fire destroys long-closed Goffs General Store
A suspicious fire Tuesday destroyed the landmark but long-closed Goffs General Store in the Mojave Desert village of Goffs, California. Here's the initial report from San Bernardino County Fire: Numerous 911 callers stated smoke and fire showing from a vacant store. Crews arrived to find a vacant building approximately 50% involved. The building, formerly the … Continue reading Fire destroys long-closed Goffs General Store
Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge
A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist has written about the Missouri Department of Transportation's apparent unwillingness to deed the closed Gasconade River Bridge to the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Tony Messenger, metro columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, filed his latest piece Thursday. Messenger, who often casts light on local or state government's wrongdoing or indifference, … Continue reading Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge
Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum
The city of Joliet, Illinois, recently added a Route 66-themed selfie station for travelers at the entrance of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. According to the Joliet Patch, the station is a collaboration between the museum, the Joliet City Center Partnership and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Museum director Greg Peerbolte told Joliet … Continue reading Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum