Bill Mack, a songwriter who helped launch LeAnn Rimes' career and a radio deejay whose overnight show proved popular with long-haul truckers, died July 31 of COVID-19 complications. He was 88. Mack, whose real surname was Smith, remains the most famous native of the Route 66 town of Shamrock, Texas. The town even has an … Continue reading Bill Mack, R.I.P.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 opens Airbnb behind the property
The owner of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 shop in Tulsa has opened an Airbnb in a century-old house directly behind the property. It's called Buck's Cosmic Crash Pad on Route 66. The 1917 three-bedroom house goes for $137 a night. A description from the listing: Experience a one of a kind … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 opens Airbnb behind the property
Effects of COVID-19 close Palms Grill Cafe indefinitely
The landmark Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, closed Sunday after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic left its management "no choice" but to shut down. The restaurant's Facebook page made the announcement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. It stated, in part: Looking ahead, our current management team and staff have plans to move on … Continue reading Effects of COVID-19 close Palms Grill Cafe indefinitely
Elaborate development planned for Two Guns site in Arizona
Artist's rendering of the proposed cliffside motel at Two Guns, Arizona. A developer plans an elaborate transformation of the Two Guns, Arizona, site that includes a luxury campground and even a cliffside motel along Diablo Canyon. John D. Gunderman made his plans public through an extensive website for his 2 Guns Luxury Resort. He said … Continue reading Elaborate development planned for Two Guns site in Arizona
Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
A likely arson fire destroyed the restaurant building Wednesday at the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat complex near Chambless, California. Beth Murray reported the fire began about 4:15 p.m. The sign and service station remained intact, but the restaurant was "a total loss." After the bad news, Murray set up a fundraiser with a goal of … Continue reading Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
David Clark will host a Zoom talk Aug. 6 about Route 66 in Chicago
David Clark, the preeminent expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, will present a Zoom videoconference event titled, "Route 66 in Chicago: Where the Road Begins," on the night of Aug. 6. Clark, InSites To Go and Route66Chicago.com are describing it as a "virtual tour" of the Mother Road in Chicago. More from the … Continue reading David Clark will host a Zoom talk Aug. 6 about Route 66 in Chicago
Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Renovations on the historic Monterey Motel in Albuquerque will be completed by September in its conversion to a higher-end hostel. Downtown Albuquerque News recently talked to Chad Renneker, a Portland, Oregon-based developer who also brought El Vado Motel back to life as a boutique motel with a taproom and several shops. The bunk beds will … Continue reading Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Construction has started on a $3 million Route 66 Village Train Depot at the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa. According to a news release from the city of Tulsa, the 5,000-square foot depot will be built next to the existing locomotive on the site at 3770 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66). The depot will … Continue reading Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Book review: “Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris”
A question has dogged the "Route 66" television series for decades: What the heck happened to Robert Morris, the actor once slated to co-star in the drama who died less than a year after it launched? A new, self-published book by Vernon Gravely, "Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris" … Continue reading Book review: “Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris”
Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September
Central Camera, a mainstay on Route 66 in downtown Chicago for over a century that burned during unrest in late May over the George Floyd police-brutality case, will reopen in September in a temporary store as the original is rebuilt. Block Club Chicago had the story Tuesday: The store at 228 S. Wabash Ave. will … Continue reading Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September