The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city -- the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
The Route 66 Bloomington-Normal, Illinois page on Facebook recently posted an interesting, if obscure, historical item for Black History Month -- the Chat 'n Chew restaurant and grocery in Normal. Here's the post, with Terri Ryburn of Ryburn Place (formerly Sprague Super Service station) in Normal supplying the photo: https://www.facebook.com/Route66BN/posts/153881979883693 A 2017 article, titled "Jim … Continue reading Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A recent discussion thread on the National Old Trails Road page on Facebook recently centered on a site I hadn't heard of before -- the Mystic Maze, aka Topock Maze, just south of Needles, California. For the uninitiated, the Mystic Maze is a series of rows of parallel lines in the desert, just south of … Continue reading Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
If you've ever walked on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects St. Louis to Madison, Illinois, you probably wondered what is inside those nearby water-intake towers on the Mississippi River. St. Louis television station KTVI provided a rare look via water intake tower No. 2: KTVI also has a gallery of images inside … Continue reading A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City is hosting an exhibit on pop-art icon Ed Ruscha and the first-ever examination of his roots, including his Sooner State upbringing and the impact of Route 66 on him. The center's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery is hosting the show in his hometown until July 5. Free tickets … Continue reading New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money and matching funds for a campaign to bring back neon lighting at the former Texaco gas station that is Gearheads Curios in Galena, Kansas. Association President Rich Dinkela outlines the campaign in this video: The association will match funds up to $2,500, with the goal of … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
A recent article in an Arizona newspaper answers a question -- who became the new chef at The Turquoise Room restaurant in La Posada of Winslow, Arizona, after John Sharpe retired in October? The short answer: Jesus Nunez, a native of Mexico who was Sharpe's right-hand man for more than three decades. According to the … Continue reading New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway
About 150 miles of Route 66 from Needles, California, to Barstow, California, was officially announced Tuesday as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. Over 300 miles of Missouri's Route 66 also attained All-American Road status, which means it contains features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and is unique … Continue reading California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway
Ed Klein preserving the long-closed Ella’s Frontier Trading Post
Ed Klein, best-known for his Route 66 World website, announced he and other friends have taken steps to preserve the long-closed Ella's Frontier Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona. Klein, who's received the blessings of property owners Gary and Carolyn Rice, explains what is happening there: https://youtu.be/xj8L7s55XXY Klein also received assistance from the owners of … Continue reading Ed Klein preserving the long-closed Ella’s Frontier Trading Post
Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month
The Cookin' From Scratch restaurant along Route 66 in Doolittle, Missouri, will close for good on March 16 due to an ownership change at the complex. According to Phelps County Focus, Tony and Melissa Sherrer of Ozark Oil Co. LLC wrote in a Feb. 12 letter to vendors that Cookin’ From Scratch’s last day would … Continue reading Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month