The owners of the historic and nicely restored Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced they have put the Route 66 property up for sale. Co-owner Richard Talley put the word out with a message on the Route 66 World website Wednesday: “As we open for the 2017 season and approach our 10th year since … Continue reading Motel Safari in Tucumcari is up for sale
Part of Route 66 in Mojave Desert to be closed until mid-September
A portion of Route 66 that runs through the Mojave Desert just east of Amboy, California, will be closed through mid-September because of bridge construction. San Bernardino County published a news release Monday in the Desert Dispatch newspaper, based in Barstow, California: San Bernardino County Public Works will be constructing two new bridges and road … Continue reading Part of Route 66 in Mojave Desert to be closed until mid-September
Route 66 license-plate wall planned near Edgewood
The folks at RETRO -- Relive the Route plan to build a massive wall along Route 66 near Edgewood, New Mexico, made of New Mexico license plates in the form of a New Mexico Route 66 map. The wall will measure 40 feet long by 12 feet high and be made primarily of 960 yellow … Continue reading Route 66 license-plate wall planned near Edgewood
A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded a couple of more videos from his videotaped road trips on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac during the 1990s. The first is from the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, in 1994 and 1995. https://youtu.be/zhaj-mo_g5M The first segment of the video shows a couple of neon signs along Route 66 that … Continue reading A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
An interview with Jim Conkle
Those who ever have spent any time with longtime Route 66 aficionado Jim Conkle will recognize many of the things he says about the Mother Road in this interview. The 25-minute interview was done by host Joan Rudder-Ward on the "Silver Sage" program, a weekly 30-minute cable-television show geared towards the age-50-and-older crowd. It's a … Continue reading An interview with Jim Conkle
“Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures” contains major revisions, additions
A few weeks ago, author Phyllis Chandler Grey informed me by email she was publishing a revised paperback version of her 2016 children's book "Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures." I said the new volume probably didn't warrant a story, because minor revisions are made to books all the time. It's routine in … Continue reading “Route 66: In Search of Ghosts and Treasures” contains major revisions, additions
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Albuquerque Rapid Transit foes drop lawsuit against it
Opponents of the ongoing Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) this week dropped a lawsuit that sought to stop the construction. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stop construction after a lower court ruled the project could proceed. The Albuquerque Journal reported: Yolanda Gallegos, an attorney for the plaintiffs … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit foes drop lawsuit against it
Missouri to build new bridge next to Gasconade River bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will build a new bridge next to the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and keep the historic bridge standing for now. In the meantime, local preservationists will have to find an entity to take over ownership of the old bridge, or it eventually may be removed. … Continue reading Missouri to build new bridge next to Gasconade River bridge
The Mill grand opening set for April 29
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a museum during a grand opening April 29 after the former Route 66 restaurant finished renovations to make its restrooms accessible to the handicapped. Thanks to prompting from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County board secretary Geoff Ladd, the city likely will help organize several events … Continue reading The Mill grand opening set for April 29