The Big Texan Steak Ranch likely will begin building its new restaurant and entertainment complex after it submits its plans to the city of Amarillo in September, according to a report by KFDA-TV in Amarillo. The station reported a water park along Interstate 40 west of the Big Texan is being dismantled to make way … Continue reading Big Texan likely will begin building new complex by fall
Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Michael Wallis, writer of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, will give a "State of the Mother Road" speech June 18 during the Vinita Route 66 Festival in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wallis long was known for his fiery "state of the road" speeches with his big, baritone voice during … Continue reading Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Women on the Mother Road website launched
Cinefemme and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Thursday the release of The Women on the Mother Road website and oral-history project. According to a news release from the corridor program: The Women On The Mother Road: Route 66 Web-site and Oral History Project, www.route66women.com, creates a public history record that sheds light on diverse women’s experiences … Continue reading Women on the Mother Road website launched
Meramec Caverns reopens today
Meramec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri, will reopen and resume partial tours today after a three-month closure because of cancer-causing fumes believed to have come from a Superfund site. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that the upper portions of the caves with ancient mineral formations no longer pose a health risk … Continue reading Meramec Caverns reopens today
“Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary
Today marks 10 years since the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" that sparked a wave of new travelers on Route 66. The "Cars" movie grossed more than $460 million in worldwide box office receipts during the summer of 2006, with almost as much money from the international market as domestic. "Cars" has generated more than … Continue reading “Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary
Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
The Rodeway Inn along Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico, earned a few truckloads of bad publicity when this video by a couple of travelers went viral to the tune of 4.5 million views and counting in less than a week: https://youtu.be/HbQauX2LOFI Apparently the motel's management was programming card keys so sloppily or lazily, they could open … Continue reading Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
The effort to preserve Route 66's historic landmarks is the focus of this seven-minute segment on "PBS NewsHour." It's a pretty good segment, but a few viewers already noted the old film footage of motorists traveling into Nevada and Utah was used in error -- Route 66 never went into those states. A podcast for … Continue reading Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
Giant Vess Soda bottle in St. Louis being restored
Work crews are busy restoring the giant Vess Soda bottle near Route 66 in St. Louis to mark the company's 100th anniversary. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The 34-foot tall, steel bottle will get a new paint job. On Friday morning, workers removed piles of trash from the base of the bottle and … Continue reading Giant Vess Soda bottle in St. Louis being restored
So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
A number of books, websites and even an application to the National Register of Historic Places tell a tragic story of Ted F. Jones, former owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was reported for years that Jones, a prominent eastern New Mexico rancher, owned the Route 66 motel through much of … Continue reading So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens
The historic Jensen's Point that overlooks Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, reopened last weekend, almost 25 years after it had been closed to the public. According to a blog post for the Washington Missourian: The landmark is now a Pacific city park and will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. There is a paved parking … Continue reading Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens