The Mill restaurant of Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday reopened as local history museum, capping a decade-long effort to restore the dilapidated Route 66 landmark after it closed in 1996. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was there to attend the ceremonial ribbon (thankfully, the ceremony was indoors, as virtually of Illinois was drenched by torrential rainstorms). Video … Continue reading The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus
Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding
Flooding across mid-Missouri has affected many towns, but none more than the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow. According to the Waynesville Daily Guide, residents of Devil's Elbow were asked to evacuate by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The rising Big Piney River overwhelmed the town. The photo at top by Pulaski County Emergency Management, … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding
The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery
The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, which reopened this weekend as a museum, played an unlikely role in solving a mystery involving a local church and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln long was rumored to have practiced law at the Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln in the late 1850s when the local courthouse burned and the church was … Continue reading The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery
The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”
Promote Kingman recently released the first in what will be a series of videos called "Jim Hinckley’s America -- A Trek Along Route 66." The video by MyMarketing Designs was screened a few weeks ago in Kingman, Arizona, and it recently was embedded on the Promote Kingman webpage. It features local author and Route 66 advocate Jim Hinckley … Continue reading The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”
Church will operate South Pasadena’s Rialto Theatre
The historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, will be operated by the popular Mosaic church in nearby Los Angeles. Escott O. Norton, founder and president of the Friends of the Rialto preservation group, confirmed in a Facebook post this week the church is "leasing the entire building including retail spaces and the old apartments above." Norton wrote: … Continue reading Church will operate South Pasadena’s Rialto Theatre
Devil’s Elbow Historic District, Piney Beach Cabins added to National Register
The Devil's Elbow Historic District in the small Route 66 town of Devil's Elbow, Missouri, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. On a related note, Piney Beach, aka Piney Beach Cabins, near Devil's Elbow also was placed on the National Register. An email Friday from the National Park Service confirmed the designations, … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Historic District, Piney Beach Cabins added to National Register
Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July
The historic Front Street Bridge, aka the Galena Viaduct, that carried Route 66 into Galena, Kansas, will be closed for renovations until July. KSNF-TV reports the bridge's road surface, sidewalks and hand rails are being repaved. It's being paid for with a $193,000 Community Development Block Grant, with Cherokee County covering the other half … Continue reading Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July
Why Carlinville has so many Sears homes
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