Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Creator of Giganticus Headicus to unveil 16-foot art creation on Nov. 6
Gregg Arnold, who created the 14-foot-tall Giganticus Headicus tiki sculpture nearly two decades ago, will unveil a 16-foot-tall art creation at the grand opening on Nov. 6 at the Antares Point visitor center and gift shop northeast of Kingman, Arizona. The grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Antares Point, at mile marker … Continue reading Creator of Giganticus Headicus to unveil 16-foot art creation on Nov. 6
New website offers self-guided tours of Route 66 in Tulsa
A new website is offering self-guided tours of historic landmarks in Tulsa, including Route 66. Root Tulsa Historic Tours offers tours of the Greenwood District and Route 66 through the website directly or by scanning a QR code with a smartphone, according to a report from KTUL in Tulsa. It's a partnership between Root Tulsa … Continue reading New website offers self-guided tours of Route 66 in Tulsa
Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where a young politician named Abraham Lincoln served in the state Legislature and delivered his "House Divided" speech, reopened to tours last week after months of interior renovations. The Associated Press reports exterior work on the Capitol's dome is continuing, but indoor work on plaster and painting was … Continue reading Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
The Landing Hub boutique hotel opens in Pacific
The Landing Hub, a contactless boutique hotel, opened a few weeks ago in Pacific, Missouri, a short drive north of Route 66 in town. The Washington Missourian published a feature about the hotel and its owners, Jen Blakely and Shane Mayer: The Landing Hub’s 15 rooms have occupancies of 2, 7, 8, and 12, with … Continue reading The Landing Hub boutique hotel opens in Pacific
Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago
Ed Debevic's restaurant, famous for its 1950s decor and theatrically surly waitstaff, has reopened in the Streeterville area of Chicago after its previous River North location was closed and demolished about six years ago. The old Ed Debevic's was north of Route 66 but provided such a unique experience that many Route 66 travelers included … Continue reading Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago
London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
The relocated and reconstructed London Bridge today is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of that historic span in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to a recent newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the bridge reopened on Oct. 10, 1971, on the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City is about 30 miles … Continue reading London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album
Western swing band Asleep At the Wheel last week released an album that marks its 50th anniversary, "Half of a Hundred Years," that includes a new version of "Route 66." The new cut of "Route 66" includes guest vocalists Leroy Preston and Johnny Nicholas to accompany the band's longtime lead singer, Ray Benson. Preston was … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album
New owners get busy restoring landmark Phillips 66 cottage-style station in Chandler
The new owners of a Phillips 66 cottage-style gas station along Route 66 in Chandler, Oklahoma, have begun the restoration of the historic structure in earnest, including painstaking work on its multi-colored roof. Owners Shane and Sara Massie and others have posted photos on Facebook in the last two weeks of the work being done … Continue reading New owners get busy restoring landmark Phillips 66 cottage-style station in Chandler
Cherokee Nation to build cultural and tourism facility along Route 66 in Vinita
The Cherokee Nation and city leaders for Vinita, Oklahoma, on Sept. 27 announced plans for a new cultural and tourism facility, named the Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center, along Route 66 in Vinita. The center is being built inside the former Vinita Country Club at 953 E. Illinois Ave. (aka Route 66). According to … Continue reading Cherokee Nation to build cultural and tourism facility along Route 66 in Vinita