Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66, is crowdfunding an effort to build a new neon sign at her Tulsa gift shop. Babcock aims to raise $10,000 through a GoFundMe.com campaign that launched about three days ago. As of Tuesday night, she'd raised more than $1,000. She wrote on Facebook … Continue reading Buck Atoms Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa raising money for a new neon sign
Big Chief Roadhouse marks 90th year in Wildwood
The Big Chief Roadhouse, which sits along an old alignment of Route 66 in Wildwood, Missouri. recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. The Lancer Feed, a newspaper created by students at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, created this video from the Sept. 14 celebration: https://youtu.be/38_lRMseNlY The restaurant's website contains an extensive history here. The Big Chief … Continue reading Big Chief Roadhouse marks 90th year in Wildwood
Old Joliet Prison draws 14,000 visitors since opening in August 2018
The Old Joliet Prison has drawn a total of 14,181 visitors for tours and events since opening to the public in August 2018, according to the Joliet Historical Museum. The 19th-century prison, known officially as the former Joliet Correctional Center, also generated $407,654 in revenue, a report in The Herald-News stated. The net revenue of … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison draws 14,000 visitors since opening in August 2018
Soul City restaurant and club closing in Tulsa, moving to suburb
The Soul City Gastropub & Music House along the 11th Street alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa soon will close after six years and later resurface in the suburb of Jenks, Oklahoma. Owners Kevin and Amy Smith announced the impending closure Friday morning on Facebook and the booking of final shows, including a grand finale … Continue reading Soul City restaurant and club closing in Tulsa, moving to suburb
Santa Monica library hosting Historic Route 66 Information Fair next weekend
If you happen to be checking out the western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, you've got another reason to hang around an hour or so next weekend -- a Historic Route 66 Information Fair. The Santa Monica Public Library will host the event from 11 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. And the … Continue reading Santa Monica library hosting Historic Route 66 Information Fair next weekend
Illinois Tourism honors Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor of Carlinville
The Illinois Office of Tourism and the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau this week honored Taylor's Mexican Chili Parlor in Carlinville as an “Illinois Maker” for emphasizing a visitor experience and inspiring travel. Taylor's beat 18 other contenders for the title this year, reported the Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat. A total of 146 businesses are … Continue reading Illinois Tourism honors Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor of Carlinville
Caretakers of Road Runner’s Retreat organizing another work session Oct. 18-20
The caretakers for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, have organized another work session Oct. 18-20 and are offering commemorative T-shirts to fund it. The T-shirts designed by Minnesota-based graphic artist Gina Hoelscher, who has lent her skills to other Route 66 events and preservation projects, can be yours by donating $30 … Continue reading Caretakers of Road Runner’s Retreat organizing another work session Oct. 18-20
Drive-through demolished at Gold Dome of Oklahoma City
Work crews this week razed the drive-through portion of the historic Gold Dome in Oklahoma City, but the situation is not as grave as you might think. Several media outlets reported the drive-through part of the former bank along Route 66 is not historic and actually was hampering efforts to secure and market the property. … Continue reading Drive-through demolished at Gold Dome of Oklahoma City
One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
Folks in Europe the United Kingdom have been watching this six-part series at it aired, but we yanks didn't get a look at the BBC2's "Hairy Bikers Route 66" until one kind soul uploaded the second episode a few days ago. The episode begins in mid-Missouri and goes west to Tulsa and Cherokee Nation country … Continue reading One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”
It's hard to believe now, but more than 100 drive-in theaters once existed on or near Route 66. The number now is seven. That factoid and many more are found in Michael Kilgore's well-researched and brisk-reading "Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today" (Neon Jukebox, 176 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Kilgore is the big kahuna … Continue reading Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”