The Mule Trading Post east of Rolla, Missouri, recently changed owners, and the new caretakers are renovating it for the next few weeks but keeping it open. In a Facebook post in early January, the Route 66 business stated: Hello everyone! The Mule Trading Post has sold to new owners and big changes are coming! … Continue reading Mule Trading Post changes hands, undergoes renovations
Scotland feels the marketing power of Route 66
In February 2015, the North Highland Initiative launched a campaign to lure more tourists to Scotland's North Coast 500, a circular route that begins and ends at Inverness Castle. In early press coverage, the road was called "Scotland's answer to Route 66," and the group -- and dozens of other newspapers -- latched on to … Continue reading Scotland feels the marketing power of Route 66
Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers
The Rocking Chair Restaurant in Conway, Missouri, recently was honored for helping travelers affected by a horrific chain-reaction crash on Interstate 44 during a winter storm. The Conway Betterment League bestowed the Route 66 established its first Business of the Month award. KSPR-TV filed this story. Included is footage of a woman who barely escaped injury … Continue reading Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers
El Reno soon will have a Route 66 Monument
The city of El Reno, Oklahoma, last week approved a contract with an area metal-fabrication firm to build a large Route 66 Monument near downtown. The city announced on its Facebook page: On Tuesday, February 13, the City Council unanimously agreed to celebrate the history of “America’s Mother Road,” historic Route 66, with a monument … Continue reading El Reno soon will have a Route 66 Monument
U.S. bicycle route on Route 66 in Missouri may be ready by summer
Missouri and Kansas are working to set up a U.S. bicycle route along Route 66 in their states, and Missouri may have it in place by summer. The Joplin Globe reported: The U.S. Bicycle Route System is the national cycling route network that’s serviced by state and local governments. Its goal is to connect bicycle … Continue reading U.S. bicycle route on Route 66 in Missouri may be ready by summer
Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
A brief chat with Michael Wallis
The folks at #Unscripted recently posted this interview of author Michael Wallis that covers quite a bit of ground in just eight minutes. The interview was conducted in the lobby of the historic Campbell Hotel in Tulsa, along Route 66. In the video, Wallis explains: What motivated him to write his eventual best-selling "Route 66: … Continue reading A brief chat with Michael Wallis
Grandson of Cyrus “Father of Route 66” Avery dies at 85
Cyrus Stevens Avery II, grandson of Cyrus "Father of Route 66" Avery and a supporter in the ongoing quest to build the Route 66 Experience museum complex in Tulsa, died Tuesday. He was 85. Ken Busby, executive director and CEO for the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa, posted this message on Facebook on Wednesday: We … Continue reading Grandson of Cyrus “Father of Route 66” Avery dies at 85
Kingman OKs archway near Locomotive Park
The city of Kingman, Arizona, recently approved a contract for building the so-called Beale Street Gateway Arch that will be near Locomotive Park. The contract with YESCO, based in Salt Lake City, will cost $177,736 in motel taxes, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. The chamber of commerce also contributed $35,000 to the project. The newspaper reported: … Continue reading Kingman OKs archway near Locomotive Park
New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman
Route 66 author and tour guide Jim Hinckley recently sent a long list of additions in Kingman, Arizona -- including a new neon sign along Route 66 and a statue of a big lizard. Based on those two things, it's safe to say Kingman no longer is a sleepy Route 66 town. Hinckley wrote: Improvements … Continue reading New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman