California highway planners seriously considered the use of nearly two dozen atomic bombs to level a mountain range so a new alignment of Interstate 40 could be built through the Mojave Desert and thus bypass Route 66. Newsmen and other observers watch a cloud of dust emerge in the distance several seconds after an underground … Continue reading California nearly used atomic bombs to help bypass Route 66 in California
Sunflower Station in Adrian has new owners
Fran Houser's Sunflower Station, a gift shop housed in a former gas station next to the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, recently acquired new owners. Jason and Kelly Snyder, who are enthusiasts of Route 66 and motorcycles, acquired the property and will become full-time residents of Adrian in early September, Houser stated in a Facebook … Continue reading Sunflower Station in Adrian has new owners
Neon on Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena apparently is restored
The neon tubing on the historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, apparently was restored in recent days. The preservation group Friends of the Rialto posted these photos on Facebook last week: Mosiac Church leases the property, and Friends of the Rialto remains hopeful the church eventually will screen movies there again. The church is … Continue reading Neon on Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena apparently is restored
A Slice of Pie restaurant opens second location in St. Robert
A Slice of Pie restaurant, a mainstay in Rolla, Missouri, since opening just off Route 66 three decades ago, has opened a second location 25 miles west in St. Robert, Missouri. The bakery announced on Facebook on Wednesday the opening of its second site in St. Robert. The address there is 1106 Old Route 66. … Continue reading A Slice of Pie restaurant opens second location in St. Robert
FourWay restaurant in Cuba reopens as Weir on 66
The FourWay restaurant, housed in a former Phillips 66 gas station on Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, recently reopened as Weir on 66 after it closed during the winter. Operator Joan Weir announced the FourWay's closing in January after five years, citing markedly high prices on goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. An email and message … Continue reading FourWay restaurant in Cuba reopens as Weir on 66
M’tucci’s Italian restaurant moving into Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
M'tucci's, an Italian restaurant with locations in Albuquerque and nearby Rio Rancho, is opening another eatery in the closed Kellys Brew Pub and Restaurant site along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in the city. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reported on the development: President John Haas says M’Tucci’s fans will find plenty of their favorites on the … Continue reading M’tucci’s Italian restaurant moving into Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
2021 Great Race will make stops next week in Sapulpa, Joplin, Rolla
The annual Hemmings Motor News Great Race of antique automobiles will wind through northeastern Oklahoma and half of Missouri on Route 66 next week. The event will make a lunch stop at 12:15 p.m. Monday at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and make an overnight stop in downtown Joplin, Missouri, … Continue reading 2021 Great Race will make stops next week in Sapulpa, Joplin, Rolla
Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book
Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan recently caught up with veteran journalist Michael Sean Comerford, who cycled the length of Route 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year and talked to scores of people along the way. Comerford began his journey from Chicago in March, averaging 35 to 70 miles daily, with a sign affixed … Continue reading Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book
Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic
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