Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is proceeding with a preservation plan for the nearly century-old stretch of Route 66, also known as the Ribbon Road or Sidewalk Highway, that may include a cycling or pedestrian trail next to it. KSN/KODE-TV reported: It will feature a walking, biking, and hiking trail alongside the historic Mother Road.Ottawa County Commissioner, … Continue reading County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail
Fire in Old Town Victorville destroys historic strip mall
A fire destroyed a historic strip mall in the Old Town area of Victorville, California, along the Route 66 corridor on Saturday night. The blaze occurred in the 15000 block of Seventh Street (aka Route 66) in Victorville. The strip mall was so thoroughly involved with fire when firefighters arrived, they did not enter the … Continue reading Fire in Old Town Victorville destroys historic strip mall
Offbeat world record broken at Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa
A world record of sorts was set during Sunday's annual Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa. Julia Webb, 36, of Little Rock, Arkansas, set a Guinness Book of World Records mark by pushing a stroller in a record time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, 24 seconds over a half-marathon of 13.1 miles, according to the Tulsa … Continue reading Offbeat world record broken at Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa
Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa
A fourth neon sign that's new or restored along Route 66 in Tulsa came to life last week, this time at U.S. Studio 66. U.S. Studio 66 is at 5202 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), just west of the historic Desert Hills Motel. Other signs that are new or have been restored are Billy … Continue reading Fourth new or restored neon sign lighted via Route 66 grant in Tulsa
Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them
In a time when Route 66 advocates are discussing the disappearance of historic neon signs, an Albuquerque artist has taken note of that issue and is doing her own small bit of preservation -- painting images of those signs in case they vanish. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports about self-proclaimed "painter of history" Cheryl Godin: “My … Continue reading Artist does her own form of preserving Route 66 neon signs by painting them
Much chatter about not much with Budville story
A lot of people got excited on social media the other day with a story about the possibility of the long-closed Budville Trading Co. in New Mexico reopening. However, a closer look at the story itself reveals nothing new or noteworthy. It makes one wonder why Albuquerque TV station KRQE did anything at all. Here's … Continue reading Much chatter about not much with Budville story
What happened to musician Jim Sullivan near Santa Rosa nearly 45 years ago?
It sounds like something from an enigmatic novel -- a praised but obscure singer-songwriter who sang about UFOs vanishes without a trace near the Route 66 town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, leading to speculation he was picked up by one of those flying saucers he mentioned. Decades after his disappearance, a record company reissues … Continue reading What happened to musician Jim Sullivan near Santa Rosa nearly 45 years ago?
“Wildorado” documentary film to screen online next month
"Wildorado," a documentary about a high-school agriculture class in the Route 66 town of Wildorado, Texas, that establishes its own cattle company, will screen next month on television and online. Here's a trailer for the intriguing film: https://youtu.be/F2gy7MlSai4 The company the students established is the Wildorado Cattle Co. More about the company's origins can be … Continue reading “Wildorado” documentary film to screen online next month
Part of Maplewood Historic Commercial District added to National Register
Several blocks of the Maplewood Historic Commercial District in Maplewood, Missouri, recently were added to the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes portions of the 7100 and 7200 blocks of Manchester Road, which is the earliest alignment of Route 66 through that part of the St. Louis region. It also includes a portion … Continue reading Part of Maplewood Historic Commercial District added to National Register
Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
KRMG, a prominent radio station in Tulsa, recently produced a special about that city's extensive link to Route 66 and its role in the historic highway's future. The three-part segment, which totals less than eight minutes, includes interviews with Michael Wallis, author of the seminal "Route 66: The Mother Road"; Ken Busby of the Route … Continue reading Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future