Another original neon sign from Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, recently was restored, and the Desert Drugs sign now stands on the Mother Road many years after it was taken down. Jim Hinckley wrote a few days ago on Facebook: The Graves family (Elmer and Craig) have jumped on the Route 66 Association of Kingman … Continue reading Another vintage Route 66 neon sign restored in Kingman
Moving on to the Land of Enchantment
A note to readers: Stories here might be sparse in the next few days because, as of this writing, I'm moving west to the classic Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico. I'll approve comments periodically through my phone, but story-writing probably will take a back seat for a while. Cross-country moves tend to eat … Continue reading Moving on to the Land of Enchantment
Pulitzer-winning photographer will publish Route 66 book in the fall
Photographer Edward Keating, who won the Pulitzer Prize for documenting the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks in New York City, announced he soon will publish a book of his Route 66 photography he's compiled over the last 17 years. Keating wrote in a Facebook post last week the book, titled "MAIN STRƎƎT," will be published by … Continue reading Pulitzer-winning photographer will publish Route 66 book in the fall
Route 66 projects included in Springfield capital-improvements plan
The city of Springfield, Missouri, will undertake more than 100 capital-improvement projects worth more than $80 million in fiscal year 2018, including a few Route 66 plans. The Springfield News-Leader reports the city council needs to approve the list next month, and the fiscal year begins in July. So it probably will be late summer … Continue reading Route 66 projects included in Springfield capital-improvements plan
Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center
The city of Strafford, Missouri, is constructing a Route 66 Historical Park next to city hall along with a visitors center. KY3 in nearby Springfield got the details: When completed, it will feature reconstructed versions of local 66 icons -- the Bumgardner (sic) General Store and Delp Hotel. "We do not have a lot of … Continue reading Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center
Tucumcari’s Five Mile Park may be redeveloped
Officials from the National Park Service and city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, met recently to discuss ideas on how to redevelop Five Mile Park, located off old Route 66 west of town. Five Mile Park once was known for a large and elaborate swimming-pool complex, but the pool hasn't been used for 40 years, and … Continue reading Tucumcari’s Five Mile Park may be redeveloped
“Santa and My Semi”
Regrettably, I never have found any songs that mix the Christmas season with Route 66. Maybe someday it'll happen ... In the meantime, here's a truck-driving song about the Yuletide season by Texas country artist Dale Watson. It's a cut from Watson's enjoyable 2001 album, "Christmas Time in Texas." https://youtu.be/AdA46d_w6lo
A Christmas card from Arizona
Frank and Lynne Kocevar, the former owners of Historic Seligman Sundries of Seligman, Arizona, put together a Christmastime video each year. Here's the latest. Frank wrote in an email accompanying the video: I have taken singing lessons this past year. I think that I have improved my vocal/lip sync skills. Who said that you can't … Continue reading A Christmas card from Arizona
Fire destroys 100-year-old tavern in Carterville
A fire Thursday morning gutted Shirley's Tavern in Carterville, Missouri, a building which has quenched the thirsts and hunger of locals for more than 100 years. The Joplin Globe reported the fire first was reported about 6:30 a.m., after the tavern had closed. “It has been determined that the fire originated in a closet in … Continue reading Fire destroys 100-year-old tavern in Carterville
The little-known Mesa Trail near Cool Springs Camp
Roger Naylor, who's written a book about Route 66 in Arizona, hikes about 1,000 miles a year, and he wrote in an article for the Arizona Republic one of his favorite places to hike in the state is Mesa Trail near Cool Springs Camp between Kingman and Oatman. Part of the reason few people know … Continue reading The little-known Mesa Trail near Cool Springs Camp