The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing to the National Register was effective July 23, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The former gas station at 9670 Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66) now serves … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register
Kum & Go won’t pave over all of original Route 66 after all
The Kum & Go convenience-store chain reversed course and said it won't pave over a small section of Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported: After hearing from fans of the historic road, the company will keep an original section unpaved as it builds a new marketplace store at the intersection of Glenstone … Continue reading Kum & Go won’t pave over all of original Route 66 after all
Florist takes over Hi-Way Tavern building in Edwardsville
The historic Hi-Way Tavern and Cafe building along Route 66 in Edwardsville, Illinois, is being renovated into a Krupp Florist. The Edwardsville Intelligencer newspaper reports Walter Bergman has worked in the past few weeks to preserve the old mood of the building at 463 E. Vandalia St. (aka Route 66) but make it more welcoming … Continue reading Florist takes over Hi-Way Tavern building in Edwardsville
Gallup sees a big jump in tourism numbers
The Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, has seen a 7 percent to 10 percent rise in tourist numbers -- the best in decades. According to an Associated Press report, city officials attribute the rise to more foreign travelers. Helping drive the interest in Native culture and grafts is a favorable exchange rate that … Continue reading Gallup sees a big jump in tourism numbers
Oak Ridge Boys named Route 66 Alliance musical ambassadors
The country and gospel-music act The Oak Ridge Boys recently was named the inaugural musical ambassadors of the Route 66 Alliance and the Will Rogers Highway before a show in Tulsa. The group was presented with a certificate signed by Alliance co-founder Michael Wallis and Alliance executive director Ken Busby before the Oaks' show at … Continue reading Oak Ridge Boys named Route 66 Alliance musical ambassadors
Book review: “Pop 66”
"Pop 66," a collection of Wes Pope's black-and-white pinhole-camera images taken over a 20-year period on Route 66, contains plenty of intrigue. But it's Pope's text that elevates the book (hardcover, 115 pages, Press Syndication Group) into part travelogue, part family history.and part biography. Subtitled "A Dreamy Pop Can Odyssey Along Route 66," part of the … Continue reading Book review: “Pop 66”
Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday signed and enacted a bill that creates a state Route 66 Centennial Commission. According to a news release, the signing took place Tuesday in Plainfield. The commission is tasked with developing plans for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission will consist … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
The historic El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, may become a museum to Navajo Indians who served as Code Talkers during World War II. A feature story in the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper about Route 66 revealed that bid. The motel at 3120 E. Historic Route 66 was built in 1937, making it the oldest … Continue reading El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Allan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, who is restoring the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently acquired another historic property south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Affeldt now owns the Legal Tender restaurant and saloon in the village of Lamy, New … Continue reading Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
New farm operation complements Funks Grove Maple Sirup
A new organic farm run by three members of the Funk family is bringing new and complementary products to the sixth-generation Funks Grove Maple Sirup off Route 66 in Shirley, Illinois. Katie and Jonathan Funk and with her fiance, Jeff Hake, started Funks Grove Heritage Fruits and Grains. They don't plan to supplant Funks Grove Maple … Continue reading New farm operation complements Funks Grove Maple Sirup