Atlanta, Illinois -- citing its wish to keep its town attractive to Route 66 tourists -- has levied fines totaling over $100,000 each to two property owners it says violated ordinances. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported Mark Armstrong of Choctaw, Oklahoma, is dealing with a total of $112,500 in fines for his alleged failure to repair a building at 205 … Continue reading Atlanta levies six-figure fines against ordinance violators
Damien Rider skateboards Route 66 in 56 days
Australian athlete Damien Rider had planned to skateboard the length of Route 66 in 66 days. Instead, he completed it in 56 days -- more than 42 miles a day. The total journey was 3,795 kilometers, which is 2,358 miles. According to Rider's Facebook posts, he logged 140 miles in a single day and nearly … Continue reading Damien Rider skateboards Route 66 in 56 days
Lowriders, twerkers shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque
By now, you've probably seen an Associated Press report about how an unauthorized music-video shoot Saturday turned into an impromptu street party of 300 people -- including lowriders and twerkers -- that shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque. It seems like a silly story for AP to distribute around the globe. But the news service chooses to highlight … Continue reading Lowriders, twerkers shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque
Owners of Milagro gas station soon will retire
The longtime owners of the Milagro gas station west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will retire by the end of August. The future of the Route 66 landmark remains unknown. Last week's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator reported Rudy and Doris Marquez will turn in the keys to the station after 24 years because … Continue reading Owners of Milagro gas station soon will retire
Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Look what hopped up in my feed. KSDK-TV, the popular NBC affiliate in St. Louis, gave two minutes to Henry's Rabbit Ranch on old Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois. Henry's been doing this schtick for more than 20 years now, which makes him a veteran in Route 66 circles. (Image of Rich Henry by Marcin … Continue reading Rich Henry keeps hopping along
Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building
An authentic Mexican restaurant becomes the latest tenant to move into the building in Springfield, Illinois, that contains the historic Sonrise Donuts neon sign on its roof. Taqueria Moroleon opened in the building at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) that contains a horseshoe-shaped Formica counter and red counter stools, reported the State Journal-Register. The … Continue reading Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building
Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill Saturday that allows motorcyclists to buy a special Illinois Route 66 license plate that benefits the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway fund. Rauner signed the bill at the historic Mahan service station at Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Fulgenzi's purchased and moved the … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill
Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday lifted an injunction that prevented the city of Albuquerque from beginning construction on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project on Central Avenue, aka Route 66. The Albuquerque Journal reported construction may begin next week, although work may be pushed back to Sept. 3. The newspaper reported: Friday’s order simply lifts … Continue reading Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
When much of Route 66 was segregated
If you've got an hour, watch this recent video about author and photographer Candacy Taylor, who attended the Bay Area Book Festival to talk about her research into Route 66 and the Negro Motorist Green Book. If you're not familiar with the Green Book, it was an annual guide published from 1936 to 1966 by Harlem postal … Continue reading When much of Route 66 was segregated
Owners of Summit Inn say they will rebuild
Amid the bad news about the historic Summit Inn restaurant burning down, a sliver of good news emerged Wednesday night -- its owners plan to rebuild. The San Bernardino County Sun reported: But new owners Katherine Juarez and her brother Otto Recinos, who recently purchased the restaurant, want to bring it back. “We plan to rebuild it … Continue reading Owners of Summit Inn say they will rebuild