The cause of a fire that destroyed dozens of vintage cars and a large building last month at Country Classic Cars near Staunton, Illinois, remains undetermined, but a new report reveals one possibility. An insurance-industry publication called Claims Journal this week reported interesting facts about the blaze: --- The fire destroyed a total of 143 cars in … Continue reading A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire
Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16
People along the length of the Mother Road soon will be treated to a unique sight -- a convoy of up to 80 vintage military vehicles making that Chicago-to-Santa Monica trip. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association will begin its 29-day, 2,400-mile journey from the Windy City on Sept. 16 along all the 1926 alignments of Route … Continue reading Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16
Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle
A community hearing over the fate of the historic Classen Circle in Oklahoma City will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Crown Heights Christian Church in the city. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, city councilman Ed Shadid announced the meeting late last week. The Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy chain had promised such a … Continue reading Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle
“CAFE” window panes apparently stolen from Glenrio landmark
It's a relatively small loss in the scheme of things. But many Route 66 enthusiasts still were deeply disappointed to learn Monday four window panes that spelled "CAFE" at the long-abandoned Longhorn Cafe in Glenrio, Texas, recently were stolen. Nick Gerlich noticed the missing glass during a visit to the Route 66 ghost town along … Continue reading “CAFE” window panes apparently stolen from Glenrio landmark
Museum Club in Flagstaff closes abruptly
The Museum Club, a Route 66 landmark in Flagstaff, Arizona, since 1931, closed with little warning Monday night, and its future appears uncertain. The Facebook page for the Museum Club posted this message about midday Monday: NO MEMORABILIA IS BEING SOLD INDIVIDUALLY OR IS ANYTHING BEING ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MUSEUM CLUB!!! YES … Continue reading Museum Club in Flagstaff closes abruptly
“The Leisure Seeker” gets mediocre reviews at Venice film festival
Several film critics who saw the premiere of "The Leisure Seeker," starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, at the Venice Film Festival over the weekend gave it middling reviews, but it apparently will be sent to the bigger Toronto Film Festival and essentially has landed worldwide distribution rights in theaters. The bones of "The Leisure … Continue reading “The Leisure Seeker” gets mediocre reviews at Venice film festival
Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
Chick Kirk, 87, a longtime volunteer who greeted thousands of tourists at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville over the years, died Aug. 27. Kirk, whose real name was Charlotte, and fellow longtime volunteer Betty Halbe worked side by side at the museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. Together, Chick Kirk and Halbe were … Continue reading Longtime California Route 66 museum volunteer Chick Kirk dies
An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda
Ten years ago, the historic but long-neglected Duncan Manor along Route 66 near Towanda, Illinois, was placed on a list of Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Places. Nowadays, the Duncan Manor isn't out of the woods yet, but improvements have been made, and David and Randi Howell seem committed to restoring it since purchasing the … Continue reading An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda
A closer look at White Dog Hill restaurant near Clinton
Oklahoma Living magazine, a publication by the state's electrical cooperatives, recently published an article for its Table Talk section about the White Dog Hill restaurant just off Route 66 east of Clinton, Oklahoma. The whole article is worth reading, but a key part is the video, which shows the restaurant's culinary delights and amazing scenery … Continue reading A closer look at White Dog Hill restaurant near Clinton
Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage
Unexpected work on a bridge on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) east of Carthage, Missouri, has disputed traffic into that city. The Missouri Department of Transportation began work on the bridge in mid-August. The agency is detouring large-vehicle traffic to Interstate 44, which disrupts Route 66 travelers. The bridge work won't be finished until November. … Continue reading Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage