Elm trees west of Clinton, Oklahoma, documented in Michael Wallis' seminal 1990 book "Route 66: The Mother Road" have died at an alarming rate in recent years and may not be long for this world. A longtime reader with a keen eye alerted me to this a few days ago and shot a short video … Continue reading Fabled elm trees west of Clinton may not be around much longer
COVID-19 prompts cancellation of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for the first time in its history
Organizers of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Monday announced the cancellation of the annual October event for the first time since it launched in 1972 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The cancellation is a major blow to New Mexico's tourism economy. An estimated 850,000 people attend each year over its nine days. The … Continue reading COVID-19 prompts cancellation of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for the first time in its history
Pop-up drive-in theater in Romeoville adds four more movie screenings
The village of Romeoville, Illinois, a few weeks ago hosted a movie screening on a pop-up outdoor screen, dubbed the Route 66 Drive-In Theater. It was so popular, it has added four more screenings this summer. The pop-up drive-in is at 680 Townhall Drive, behind the Romeoville Athletic & Event Center and just west of … Continue reading Pop-up drive-in theater in Romeoville adds four more movie screenings
Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Prolific author Stephen H. Provost this spring released two books barely two months apart about the early history of American roads and the so-called golden age of U.S. highways. "America's First Highways" delves into the pre-1926 era when the nation's main roads -- including a precursor to Route 66 -- were named and not numbered. … Continue reading Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant
Route History, a former gas station in Springfield, Illinois, that tells the African American experience of Route 66 and acts a souvenir shop, recently earned an $80,047 grant from the state. The grant from the Illinois Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program will the owners help buy the property, improve its grounds, add two staff members … Continue reading Route History shop in Springfield awarded an $80,000 grant
Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
The mother of biracial children said she and her children were told by a KOA campground manager in Stanton, Missouri, they weren't welcome to use the facility's showers -- an echo of the Jim Crow discrimination era. The campground later apologized. The incident occurred at the Stanton / Meramec KOA Journey campground in Stanton, just … Continue reading Biracial family told not to use showers at KOA campground in Stanton
Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
The owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced Tuesday the Route 66 landmark property was under contract after being on the market for more than 18 months. The deal with "a delightful couple" is expected to close later this month. Co-owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller posted this message on Facebook: They … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari is under contract
Security shutters being added to KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque in April filed an application to add security shutters to its historic KiMo Theatre, which recently was damaged by a riot in the days after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody. The State Historic Preservation Office will consider the request after Albuquerque’s Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission approved it last week, … Continue reading Security shutters being added to KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque
Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
The Baxter Springs Historical Museum in Baxter Springs, Kansas, is holding an exhibit of a deceased local artisan who made unique tiny sculptures from peach pits, called "Pitt Pets." Duane M. Lee, who died at age 65 in 2005, made an estimated 10,000 of his Pitt Pets, according to his son Don, and gave them … Continue reading Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
The Meteor City Trading Post eventually will reopen for the first time since 2012 after its new owners have received a hand up from nearby Route 66 businesses and enthusiasts. The Arizona Daily Sun in a feature story recounts the three-year saga of Joann and Michael Brown of Indiana, who bought the abandoned and vandalized … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends