An industrial building inside the historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, burned to the ground earlier this week, and a juvenile was charged with starting the blaze. The Daily Southtown reported: Joliet police received numerous Crime Stoppers tips from a social media post Tuesday morning seeking to identify two males who were seen inside … Continue reading Fire destroys a building inside Joliet Correctional Center
Dutch Route 66 guidebook published
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Dries Bessels recently published a Dutch Route 66 guidebook as a fundraiser for the Dutch Route 66 Association. The book, which is in the Dutch language, contains more than 700 photographs and is 220 pages. Bessels wrote in an email: The book is a perfect complement for Jerry McClanahan's EZ Guide … Continue reading Dutch Route 66 guidebook published
More 1990s video from Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos to YouTube from his travels on Route 66 during the early to mid-1990s in a 1959 Cadillac. At the least, the videos are valuable for historic reasons. Some of the places Reichardt visited have disappeared or changed radically. The first video is a chat with Glaida Funk of Funks … Continue reading More 1990s video from Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
Tulsa will add markers to historic Route 66 sites
The city of Tulsa recently issued a request for a proposal from prospective contractors to place historical markers or plaques near Route 66 sites. The request by the city is here; the proposal must be submitted by June 14. In summary, the RFP says: The City of Tulsa seeking professionally qualified individuals and firms to … Continue reading Tulsa will add markers to historic Route 66 sites
Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage
At least two Route 66 landmarks -- the Boots Court motel and the 66 Drive-In theater -- suffered extensive damage from a severe hailstorm early Sunday, mostly to their neon lighting. KTTS radio showed a photo of hailstones at least 2 inches in diameter that fell in the Carthage area. The storm injured at least … Continue reading Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage
Staffers’ favorite parts of the Route 66 exhibit at the Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum in St. Louis recently launched a video series about the current "Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis" exhibit. Staffers with the museum are asked about their favorite parts of the show. Here are their answers: https://youtu.be/luXK_W5gIOo https://youtu.be/ZvTMTKVPOi8 https://youtu.be/PYNuRNa1za8 And here is a 30-second trailer about the exhibit itself. https://youtu.be/CgY0tM7gxBo The Route … Continue reading Staffers’ favorite parts of the Route 66 exhibit at the Missouri History Museum
Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
While tourists continue to visit the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois, despite the closing of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in 2013, one new twist recently emerged -- visitors slapping stickers on the iconic fiberglass figure. According to the Daily Journal, Wilmington Mayor Roy Strong and some residents don't have a problem with tourists affixing … Continue reading Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
Thoughts about the Associated Press story on Route 66
A few days ago, the Associated Press published a story about the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program expiring in 2019 and its possible effect on Route 66 businesses and towns. You can read the story straight from the source here. The good news is the story was distributed to thousands of newspapers, television stations, radio … Continue reading Thoughts about the Associated Press story on Route 66
Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
The Elbow Inn restaurant and bar in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, will partly reopen Friday for the Memorial Day weekend, less than a month after it was heavily damaged by a record flood from the Big Piney River. A phone call Thursday confirmed the Route 66 landmark will open its outdoor, covered Biergarten at 11 a.m. Friday, … Continue reading Elbow Inn in Devil’s Elbow partially reopens Friday
Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month
The long-awaited redevelopment project for the closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque begins in June, setting up the Route 66 property's reopening as an extended-stay hotel sometime in summer 2018. Construct Southwest, chosen by the city to redevelop the neglected but historic property, will begin to raze three buildings down on the property in June, … Continue reading Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month