U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail

Three U.S. senators announced last week they proposed legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, though its prospects for passage in the lame-duck session of Congress are uncertain. U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford of Oklahoma and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, all Republicans, stated in a news release they introduced … Continue reading U.S. senators introduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail

Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles

A recent fire damaged two guest rooms at the Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles, California, though the Route 66 landmark still is operating. Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories page on Facebook posted a photo of the damage during the July 4 holiday: A clerk who answered the phone at Fender’s said the … Continue reading Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles

What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Hemmings Motor News published a valuable story with the headline “What’s behind the push to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail?” that provides a lot of background behind the initiative. It appears the story was prompted by Mobil 1’s current “Keep Route 66 Kickin’” tour, which includes an online petition to support a national-trail … Continue reading What’s the importance of Route 66 Historic Trail legislation?

Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024

National Geographic recently listed its “20 of the coolest travel adventures in 2024” as part of its annual Best of the World feature, and Route 66 in New Mexico made the list. The iconic magazine stated the list serves as “a celebration — of travel’s power to transform us and our connections with one another.” … Continue reading Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024

Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins

A section of 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway, aka Ribbon Road, of Route 66 near Miami, Oklahoma, is undergoing a required Section 106 review before Ottawa County begins work to restore the century-old roadway. Section 106 is a review period required by the National Historic Preservation Act anytime work is imminent on or near historic properties. The … Continue reading Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma undergoing historic review before rehabilitation work begins

New kiosk added to Camp Cajon monument site in southern California

A new informational kiosk recently was added to the Camp Cajon monument site near Phelan, California, that describes the major highways and roads that passed by the long-defunct rest area. Here’s a look at the kiosk from the camp’s Facebook account: Camp Cajon’s champions about a year ago installed a century-old, concrete picnic table at … Continue reading New kiosk added to Camp Cajon monument site in southern California

Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

The landmark Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville, Missouri, will mark its 100th year with a celebration on April 1 at nearby Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. The party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, a Saturday. The park is easily accessed via Spring Road on the east side of Roubidoux Creek. According to the … Continue reading Roubidoux Bridge in Waynesville to celebrate its centennial on April 1

Oklahoma unveils new U.S. Bicycle Route 66 bicycle signs that will be posted

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently unveiled a new U.S. Bicycle Route 66 that will be installed along nearly 400 miles of the historic highway in the state. According to a news release from ODOT: The sign was debuted on the heels of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ approval of Oklahoma’s … Continue reading Oklahoma unveils new U.S. Bicycle Route 66 bicycle signs that will be posted

Route 66 Historic Trail bill advances unanimously out of U.S. House committee

A bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail under the auspices of the National Park Service passed unanimously this week out of the Natural Resources Committee to the full U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), who is shepherding the bill with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), announced H.R. 3600’s … Continue reading Route 66 Historic Trail bill advances unanimously out of U.S. House committee

Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023

A long-awaited renovation of a 9-foot-wide, century-old section of Route 66 — better known as the Sidewalk Highway — in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is slated to begin sometime in 2023. According to KSNF-TV, the project is in the planning stage: “What we got is a 1920 Federal Highway which is now a national trail, and … Continue reading Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023