The long-closed Filling Station restaurant along Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, is being renovated and soon will reopen as Kelly's on 66. According to a Facebook post on Bloomington Normal Restaurant Scene, area restaurateur Kelly Tobin planned to begin renovations on the restaurant at 905 1/2 W. Main St. in Lexington and reopen it in … Continue reading Filling Station in Lexington to reopen as Kelly’s on 66
Route 66 listed among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Landmarks Illinois on Thursday listed Route 66 as one of the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois in the group's annual list and advocated a National Historic Trail designation for the highway. The group stated: The purpose of the list is to focus attention on sites threatened by deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, or … Continue reading Route 66 listed among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth
If you're in north Texas and you have a hankering for fried onion burgers served in no fewer than three restaurants in El Reno, Oklahoma, you're in luck. Hookers Grill in the popular Stockyards area of Fort Worth, Texas, recently opened. It features a significant El Reno connection, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram With or … Continue reading El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth
Masonic Lodge in Bristow added to National Historic Register
The nearly century-old Creek Masonic Lodge No. 226 building along Route 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma, was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective March 20, and was revealed a weekly email Friday from the National Park Service. The Creek Masonic Lodge No. 226 sits at 417 N. Main St. (aka … Continue reading Masonic Lodge in Bristow added to National Historic Register
El Vado Motel project begins; may be finished by Aug. 1
Almost 12 years after the Route 66 landmark closed, developers began construction on the historic El Vado Motel and hope to reopen it as a boutique motel by late summer. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported that construction began last week. Ponderosa Brewing is expected to open a tap room on the property next to 21 small … Continue reading El Vado Motel project begins; may be finished by Aug. 1
Red-hot electric blues version of “Route 66”
We're doing a little traveling -- guess where? -- so posting might be a little light for a couple of days. In the meantime, I dug up a video from the archives that's a favorite in electric-blues circles, for good reason. It's guitarslinger Popa Chubby and New York City Blues blazing their way through Bobby Troup's … Continue reading Red-hot electric blues version of “Route 66”
Meteor City Trading Post may have a savior
A couple from Indiana on Monday officially acquired the long-closed and vandalized Meteor City Trading Post west of Winslow, Arizona, and plan to restore and reopen the Route 66 landmark. Meteor City closed in 2012 and soon became ransacked. It looked so bad in the last few years, even the most optimistic Route 66 enthusiasts … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post may have a savior
Artist offering Route 66-inspired diorama, map to museums or collectors
Wendy Jack, a California-based artist, completed an elaborate diorama, map and other displays for a work titled "A Nostalgic Journey on Route 66" she hopes will interest museums, organizations or individuals. The work consists of an approximate 4 1/2-by-3 1/2-foot diorama of a gas station and souvenir shop, with a lot of detail, next to … Continue reading Artist offering Route 66-inspired diorama, map to museums or collectors
A high-speed trip on Route 66 through the Mojave Desert
A dedicated driver known only by the name of Forgotten Hwy recently uploaded footage of drives on Route 66 through California's Mojave Desert. These are quality, high-speed videos with annotations of towns, prominent crossroads and streets encountered on the Mother Road. This is a good way to travel vicariously in Route 66 in the Mojave … Continue reading A high-speed trip on Route 66 through the Mojave Desert
Illinois touts Route 66 to young people in new “Up for Amazing” campaign
The Illinois Office of Tourism recently released its new "Up for Amazing" advertising campaign designed to draw tourists from the millennial generation and Generation X to the state. Route 66 features prominently in at least two of the 30-second ads. And several other attractions -- including Abraham Lincoln sites in Springfield and Chicago's Willis Tower -- … Continue reading Illinois touts Route 66 to young people in new “Up for Amazing” campaign