The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted
The Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, on Saturday night officially relighted the architectural neon of the Route 66 motel that had gone dark for about 15 years. An estimated 200 people attended the event. Here is a video from Jessica Davis of the countdown before the switch for the neon for Boots Court was flicked on: https://www.facebook.com/100004570088249/videos/618744481621216/ The … Continue reading Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted
Book review: “Bicycling Guide to Route 66”
At first glance, Bob Robinson's "Bicycling Guide to Route 66" appears to be a budget-priced version of the Adventure Cycling Association's "Bicycle Route 66" map series, as the book uses the ACA's route. But the "Bicycling Guide to Route 66" (200 pages, Spirits Creek, paperback, illustrations and photos, $19.95) should be considered as a companion to the ACA … Continue reading Book review: “Bicycling Guide to Route 66”
Marathon Oil station in Miami sold at auction
The historic Miami Marathon Oil Station on an old alignment of Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma, sold for $18,000 at auction Friday, but its new owner remains unknown for now. The Joplin Globe newspaper reported the station's new owner declined to identify himself or do interviews. The deal for the station should be close in about 30 … Continue reading Marathon Oil station in Miami sold at auction
City of Lincoln approves funds for The Mill restoration
The city council of Lincoln, Illinois, this week approved $12,000 in motel-tax funds to help finish restoring The Mill, a now-closed restaurant on Route 66 that eventually will become a museum. According to the Lincoln Courier, the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County plans to use the money for plumbing and sewer-line work. The money will go to … Continue reading City of Lincoln approves funds for The Mill restoration
Wildfires erupt near Topock, Needles
Wildfires on Wednesday threatened resorts on both sides of the Colorado River as more than 1,400 acres burned near Topock, Arizona, and Needles, California. The Havasu News in nearby Lake Havasu City reported: --- The Park Moabi Result and Pirate's Cove Resort were evacuated after hot embers buffeted by wind threatened them. A marketing manager at … Continue reading Wildfires erupt near Topock, Needles
Merle Haggard, R.I.P.
Merle Haggard, considered one of the greatest country-music artists in history, died today after a long series of health problems, according to his manager. He was 79. Today also was his birthday. We'll let other music writers tell about Haggard's considerable legacy, which is far deeper than "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee." (His one-man … Continue reading Merle Haggard, R.I.P.
Vision Tulsa’s passage helps several Route 66 projects
Voters in Tulsa passed the Vision Tulsa sales-tax extension by a wide margin Tuesday, and a few Route 66 projects will receive pieces of the $884 million pie. The big project of Vision Tulsa is building low-water dams on the Arkansas River. But here are the Route 66-related projects Vision Tulsa will fund: --- Route 66 … Continue reading Vision Tulsa’s passage helps several Route 66 projects
Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
The Barnes Town and Country store, which has served customers along Route 66 west of Springfield, Missouri, since 1934, likely will close by the end of the month unless someone buys the business. Brothers Rick and Randy Perryman have run the Barnes Town and Country in the little hamlet of Elwood Siding for more than 40 … Continue reading Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
Lawsuits filed against Albuquerque Rapid Transit
At least two legal challenges were filed Monday against the city's Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) plan, including that the National Historic Preservation Act was violated, plus other state and federal laws. The Albuquerque Journal reported: The lawsuits allege that ART would choke traffic along Central Avenue and disrupt the character of old Route 66. Albuquerque is home … Continue reading Lawsuits filed against Albuquerque Rapid Transit