I'd long known the Route 66 town of Carlinville, Illinois, had a high concentration of Sears homes. But I'd never known exactly how many and why. KSDK-TV in St. Louis recently posted this story about Sears homes and Carlinville. And here's the gist of the story that answered my questions: The Carlinville neighborhood is known as … Continue reading Why Carlinville has so many Sears homes
Governor will attend The Mill’s grand reopening
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and state Rep. Tim Butler will attend several Route 66 events in Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday, including the grand reopening of The Mill as a local museum. According to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: The festivities begin with a parade at 11 a.m. from downtown Lincoln … Continue reading Governor will attend The Mill’s grand reopening
Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much
President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order to review the designation of about two dozen national monuments since 1996, including the new Mojave Trails National Monument along Route 66 in Southern California. However, the order may not be as grave as environmentalists and Route 66ers fear. The president said he wanted to overturn … Continue reading Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much
New “Cars 3” trailer released
Disney-Pixar late this morning released a new trailer for the upcoming animated film "Cars 3," which will be in theaters June 16. https://youtu.be/2LeOH9AGJQM Here's a description of the film: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get … Continue reading New “Cars 3” trailer released
DVD review: “The California Promise: Historic Route 66”
Route 66 in the Mojave Desert may look barren, but its past brims with history and stories. That's the takeaway from Unoccupied Route 66's latest film, "The California Promise: Historic Route 66." The 37-minute documentary, again directed by KC Keefer, explores a 100-mile stretch of ghost towns that dotted Route 66 in Southern California's harsh desert. … Continue reading DVD review: “The California Promise: Historic Route 66”
Book review: “Route 66 Splendor: An Adult Coloring Book”
At least one Route 66 adult coloring has hit the market, and more probably will to take advantage of the craze. But they will be hard-pressed to surpass Jo Ann Kargus' newly published "Route 66 Splendor: An Adult Coloring Book." According to a report earlier by CNN and other media outlets, therapists and researchers have … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Splendor: An Adult Coloring Book”
Surprise wedding at Route 66 Neon Festival
Those who attended the Arcadia Route 66 Neon Fest headquartered last weekend at Jim Ross' house off old Route 66 near Arcadia, Oklahoma, got a surprise -- the wedding of two longtime roadies,officiated by a third longtime roadie. Ross and Shellee Graham -- both who have photographed and researched Route 66 for at least 20 … Continue reading Surprise wedding at Route 66 Neon Festival
Mother Road enthusiast forms UK Route 66 Association
Steve Bellamy, a Wales-based Route 66 aficionado known for his DrivingRoute66.com guide to the Mother Road, announced last week he is forming a UK Route 66 Association. In a text, Bellamy wrote about the genesis of the group: I'm aware that in the last couple of years there have been a few occasions where - … Continue reading Mother Road enthusiast forms UK Route 66 Association
Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire
When a suspicious fire in 2010 burned down the historic Riviera Roadhouse restaurant in Gardner, Illinois, the arsonist also unsuccessfully targeted the nearby Streetcar Diner that night. That little-known fact was revealed in more than 200 pages of documents and dozens of photographs obtained through an open-records request for Illinois Fire Marshal's Office reports from the … Continue reading Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire
Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop
Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, which closed and its contents auctioned after the death of its longtime owner in 2013, will reopen this summer as a Route 66-themed auto-repair business. Local classic-car aficionados Randy Pickett and Jake Niewold plan to convert the vacant building to an auto-repair and maintenance shop with a Route 66 … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop