Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

The Google Doodle on Google’s homepage on Saturday will contain a commissioned work of an artist’s representation of Route 66. Allison Hacker of M Booth Communications alerted us to the forthcoming Google Doodle in an email about two weeks ago: While every Doodle has a story behind it, this specific one has a 2,448-mile-long journey. … Continue reading Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall

The principals of Uranus Missouri near St. Robert, Missouri, presided over a lighting ceremony Saturday night at the complex’s new, Route 66-themed neon wall. Here’s a photo of the animated neon on a 20-by-55-foot wall that features a rocket ship, Cadillac Ranch, Blue Swallow Motel, Wigwam Motel, Roy’s of Amboy, Blue Whale of Catoosa, Ted … Continue reading Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall

Amarillo groups meet fundraising goal to paint Route 66 emblem on water tower

The San Jacinto Neighborhood Association, the Historic 6th on Route 66th Association and the Route 66 Association of Texas recently met their $18,000 fundraising goal to paint a Route 66 emblem on a huge water tower at 6th Street (aka Route 66) and Independence Street on the city’s west side. Dora Meroney of Texas Ivy … Continue reading Amarillo groups meet fundraising goal to paint Route 66 emblem on water tower

New neon wall at Uranus Missouri will light up the evening of Sept. 25

The new neon-sign wall at the Uranus Missouri complex near St. Robert, Missouri, will hold a ceremonial lighting ceremony at 8 p.m. Sept. 25. On a related note, Uranus also expanded its empire by acquiring a prominent candy store in Indiana and will convert it into a second location. More on that later. Uranus owner … Continue reading New neon wall at Uranus Missouri will light up the evening of Sept. 25

Arsonist torches one of the cars at Cadillac Ranch

An apparent arsonist early Sunday set fire to one of the classic cars that make up the landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo’s west side. KAMR-TV in Amarillo reported the first fire call came in at 2:12 a.m. The fire was extinguished, and no arrests have been made. The administrator at the Cadillac Ranch page on … Continue reading Arsonist torches one of the cars at Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo City Council approached about Route 66 water tower project

The San Jacinto Neighborhood Association and the Historic 6th on Route 66th Association have approached the Amarillo City Council about changing an ordinance so a Route 66 shield could be painted on the big water tower at 6th Street (aka Route 66) and Independence Street on the city’s west side. As previously reported in February, the … Continue reading Amarillo City Council approached about Route 66 water tower project

Agreement keeps American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo

After hearing overtures from Fort Worth to move there, the American Quarter Horse Association will remain in Amarillo for another 10 years after reaching an agreement over $3 million in incentives from the local Economic Development Corporation. AQHA’s headquarters have been in Amarillo since 1946 and is estimated to generate $25 million in economic impact … Continue reading Agreement keeps American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo

Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery

Route 66 artwork from Amarillo figures prominently in an art show in the unlikely locale of Plainview, Texas (pop. 20,700). The “Yellow City Art” show at Contemporary Art Museum Plainview, which runs through February, features the work of photographer Ed Ruscha (known for his 1963 “Twentysix Gasoline Stations” photo book) and the late Stanley Marsh … Continue reading Amarillo Route 66 art prominently featured in Plainview gallery

Amarillo’s tallest building named to National Register of Historic Places

The tallest skyscraper in the Texas Panhandle, located in Amarillo, this week was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The FirstBank Southwest Tower at 600 S. Tyler St. in Amarillo, next to the Sixth Avenue alignment of Route 66 in downtown Amarillo, earned the designation Wednesday, according to an email Friday from the … Continue reading Amarillo’s tallest building named to National Register of Historic Places

Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”

Shin Yin Khor’s graphic memoir “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66” turns out to be an unusual travelogue. Not only is it created by a comic artist, but it comes from the perspective of a young American from the so-called Left Coast who was born in another country. Subtitled “Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler … Continue reading Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”