Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movies, recently was inducted into the Walk of Fame at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa. Wallis received a medallion embedded on the sidewalk in front of the historic theater, which opened … Continue reading Michael Wallis inducted to Circle Cinema Walk of Fame
New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart
A new Route 66-themed mural in downtown Elkhart, Illinois, will be unveiled Sunday during a weekend that includes the 11th annual Car Cruise-In at The Mill in nearby Lincoln, Illinois. Here's more information about the mural from a news release: According to the Elkhart Historical Society, “the colorful hand-painted mural measuring 36 feet long by … Continue reading New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart
Charley’s Automotive Service in Grants named to National Register
The long-closed Charley's Automotive Service building along Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Oct. 4, according to a recent email from the National Park Service. The station is at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). The New Mexico Historic Preservation … Continue reading Charley’s Automotive Service in Grants named to National Register
Braum’s withdraws application to rezone Classen Circle
Those protesting the proposed razing of historic Classen Circle in Oklahoma City earned a victory when the Braum's restaurant chain withdrew its rezoning application for the project. Several Oklahoma City news outlets, including the The Oklahoman newspaper, reported the Braum's withdrawal Friday, which was confirmed by city councilman Ed Shadid. Classen Circle, which contains two … Continue reading Braum’s withdraws application to rezone Classen Circle
Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant on a corner of the property -- has new owners who plan to reopen the Route 66 landmark in the late spring. The Free Press Newspapers reported Tully Garrett and Holly Barker will take possession Oct. 16 of the property, … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
Elbow Inn’s main building reopens
The main building for the Elbow Inn bar and barbecue restaurant in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, reopened Wednesday about five months after record flooding ravaged it and the tiny Route 66 town. The Elbow Inn's beer-garden area reopened a few weeks after the flood. But seeing the main bar looking all shiny and new was a … Continue reading Elbow Inn’s main building reopens
Scenes from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Route 66 Convoy
We've been tracking the Military Vehicle Preservation Association's Route 66 Convoy, where about 70 military vehicles are going west the length of the Mother Road over several weeks. You can follow the convoy's progress online here, which includes a live feed if the signal is good. The Facebook page for MVPA Historic Convoys also is … Continue reading Scenes from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Route 66 Convoy
Historic house for sale in Webb City being considered as a B&B
A historic house on the north edge of downtown Webb City, Missouri, is on the market, and prospective buyers are considering it for use as bed-and-breakfast lodging. KSN-TV took a closer look at the Aylor House: The 3,000 square foot home was built in 1891 and features many details original to the house. That includes … Continue reading Historic house for sale in Webb City being considered as a B&B
Tom Petty, R.I.P.
Word came down late Monday that rock 'n' roll legend Tom Petty died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Southern California home. He was 66. I'll let others wax poetic about his marvelous career, including one of my favorite music writers at the Chicago Tribune. But it's almost a given Tom Petty and his … Continue reading Tom Petty, R.I.P.
Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”
If you wondered whether famed pop-culture enthusiast Charles Phoenix included Route 66 attractions in his latest book, "Addicted to Americana" (180 pages, hardcover, illustrated, Prospect Park Books), all you have to do is glance at its cover. It contains an image of the Desert Hills Motel neon sign in Tulsa and a tepee from one … Continue reading Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”