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
Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
A purported arson fire Tuesday destroyed an 1899 passenger railcar in Galena, Kansas, slated to begin restoration as a future tourist attraction along Route 66. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby stated in a Facebook post the former presidential railcar from the Kansas City Southern Railway contained hand-laid mosaic tile showers, a kitchen, a dining room, … Continue reading Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
Two microbreweries open along Route 66 despite coronavirus disruptions
This past month, two microbreweries have opened along Route 66 despite the economic turmoil and disruptions created by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic -- a sign of hope if there ever was one. Wally Kennedy, a writer at the Joplin Globe, noted that ray of sunshine amid the clouds during a recent column: So when something … Continue reading Two microbreweries open along Route 66 despite coronavirus disruptions
Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register
An 1891 house in Webb City, Missouri, and a commercial district on Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis each were added to the National Register of Historic Places last week. Both are on or very near historic Route 66. The Elijah Thomas Webb home at 4 S. Liberty St. in Webb City (map here) is owned … Continue reading Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register
City of Catoosa purchases Blue Whale property
The city of Catoosa, Oklahoma, in April purchased the Blue Whale and its surrounding 23 1/2 acres from its longtime owners, the Davis family. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, revealed the news during a blog post Sunday: Since Catoosa has taken ownership of the land, there have been several improvements. The … Continue reading City of Catoosa purchases Blue Whale property
Motels may be finding new favor over hotels during the coronavirus era
Old-school motels, especially many along Route 66, might be finding newfound popularity because there is less risk in contracting COVID-19 versus modern hotels. Yahoo! Finance reports in a new article: "In outdoor corridors, people feel safe," said Mike Riverside of the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. "People can go directly to their rooms" and potentially … Continue reading Motels may be finding new favor over hotels during the coronavirus era