A fast-moving wildfire in Cajon Pass in Southern California destroyed the Route 66 landmark Summit Inn restaurant on Tuesday night, confirmed several media outlets in the Los Angeles region. The Los Angeles Times posted video from the scene as flames consumed the historic cafe. The Facebook page for the Oak Hills restaurant posted this message late … Continue reading Wildfire destroys landmark Summit Inn
Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
A record 38,000 people attended the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, this past weekend. KOLR-TV reported 28,000 people attended on Saturday alone, with 5,000 on Friday and another 5,000 on Sunday. Vendors reported bigger crowd sizes, as well. About 23,000 people attended the 2015 festival. A record of more than 400 … Continue reading Record crowds attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem
I've been on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, at least 10 times, probably more. But while surfing for Route 66 videos and looking over the city's website for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, I stumbled onto a landmark that I don't recall seeing. And it may be the oldest on that stretch of the … Continue reading Springfield’s half-hidden historical gem
Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey
The Route 66 town of Winslow, Arizona, soon will erect a life-size bronze of The Eagles founder and "Take It Easy" co-songwriter Glenn Frey at Standin' on a Corner Park in time for the annual Standin' on a Corner Festival. Tom McCauley, a member of the Standin' on a Corner Foundation board of directors, shared … Continue reading Winslow soon will dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey
Two Route 66 sites listed on Missouri’s Places in Peril
The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation recently listed two landmarks on Route 66 to its annual historic Places in Peril, and two more were placed on the group's Watched list. The Route 66 Meramec River Bridge near Eureka and the Old Phillipsburg General Store in Phillipsburg made the "Peril" list. The Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and … Continue reading Two Route 66 sites listed on Missouri’s Places in Peril
Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website
Ahead of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival this weekend, the city of Springfield, Missouri, launched an interactive "story map" website detailing about 80 Route 66 businesses that once stood or still exist in the city and its outskirts. According to KSMU radio, the city's Geographic Information Systems division used mapping software Esri to create the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, releases “story maps” website
Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe
El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ended 80 years of family ownership when a Texas real-estate investment company recently bought the historic Route 66 motel. The Santa Fe New Mexican had the scoop Wednesday night: Terrell White, who had owned El Rey since 1973, sold the 5-acre complex to a company called Behringer, … Continue reading Texas firm buys El Rey Inn in Santa Fe
Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
The owners of the Fanning 66 Outpost -- most famous for the Route 66 Red Rocker giant rocking chair -- announced Tuesday they would close the business effective Thursday because of "economic conditions." Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro posted this message on the business' Facebook page: Farewell from Fanning 66 Outpost, General Store, Archery and feed. Due … Continue reading Fanning 66 Outpost closing down Thursday
Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
A group of concerned residents seeks to restore the Virden History Mural in Virden, Illinois, on Route 66 that depicts the town's transportation history. City officials dedicated the 52-by-19-foot mural by Greenville College professor John Hubbell in 2004. But it's encountered hard times recently, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Illinois weather has been hard on the mural, said Suzanne Gray, … Continue reading Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural
More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road
Additional information emerged over the weekend about the oft-reported Route 66 Welcome Center solar road that will be installed near Conway, Missouri. The solar panels will be laid on a 12-by-20-foot section of sidewalk, not road surface, at the Route 66-themed rest area off Interstate 44, reported the Kansas City Star. “We want to start kind of smaller and … Continue reading More about Route 66 Welcome Center’s so-called solar road