Noted author and retired professor T. Lindsay Baker is traveling Route 66 in a 1930 Ford Model A as part of research into a book he'll be writing about restaurants and dining along the Mother Road. Tulsa World columnist Ginnie Graham caught up with Baker last week in Tulsa. The article is far-ranging and ought … Continue reading Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project
Grand Canyon Caverns soon will open Grotto underground dining area
Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, in early August will open a Caverns Grotto on an elevated platform as a specialty underground dining area. Frank Kocevar, former owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in nearby Seligman, Arizona, had some details in an email: A winding walkway takes you to the platform. The raised platform will … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns soon will open Grotto underground dining area
Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed
The restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena, Kansas, recently was finished, and the city will hold a dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. July 22 to mark the occasion. City and county officials talked to the Joplin Globe newspaper about the project, also known as the Galena Viaduct: “It’s a piece of history, … Continue reading Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed
Fanning 66 Outpost soon will reopen
The closed Fanning 66 Outpost, best known for the formerly World's Largest Rocker on its premises, will reopen later the summer after a local businessman bought it. Ryan Thompson, owner of Route 66 Mercantile in nearby Cuba, Missouri, closed on the purchase of the property this week. Route 66 Mercantile is part of the former … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost soon will reopen
John Margolies roadside photos now available for download
More than 11,000 photos of roadside America that John Margolies took during a nearly 40-year career now are available for download from the Library of Congress. The archive, which runs from 1972 to 2008, includes nearly 80 photos from Route 66. The entire archive is here; Margolies' Route 66 photos may be found here. You may … Continue reading John Margolies roadside photos now available for download
Replica of Red’s Giant Hamburg soon will break ground
A long-gestating project to re-create the fabled Red's Giant Hamburg restaurant in Springfield, Missouri, will clear a big hurdle when its developers break ground within the next 30 days. David Campbell, best-known for the Buckingham's regional barbecue chain, and partner Greg Iott are leading the quest to re-create Red's. Campbell said in a telephone interview … Continue reading Replica of Red’s Giant Hamburg soon will break ground
Palomino Motel in Tucumcari gets a new owner
The Palomino Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, quietly underwent an ownership change, and many improvements are planned at the historic Route 66 property in the coming months. The change in owners was announced in a Facebook post June 30 on the Tucumcari and Quay County Then and Now page. The deal closed May 5. New … Continue reading Palomino Motel in Tucumcari gets a new owner
A film portrait of Harley Russell
I doubt you'll find a more candid or heartbreaking film about Harley Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers in Erick, Oklahoma, than this one. A description of the film: Despite living in the small town of Erick, Oklahoma and bordering on the edge of insanity, a self-proclaimed ‘mediocre music maker’ attracts visitors from around … Continue reading A film portrait of Harley Russell
Restored Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign is dedicated
The newly restored neon sign for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket restaurant along old Route 66 in Willowbrook, Illinois, was dedicated Monday afternoon with a relighting ceremony. About 200 people attended the event, which included a car show, live music and commemorative T-shirts. Below is an image of the restored sign at night: The ceremony … Continue reading Restored Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign is dedicated
Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon
Repairs to the hail-damaged architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, will begin by mid-July after Route 66 enthusiasts donated more than $4,100 for the project. Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce on Friday presented a check for $4,113.41, representing the proceeds of a GoFundMe campaign after a … Continue reading Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon