House Republicans in Washington opened an investigation into President Obama’s recent designation of three new national monuments, including Route 66's Mojave Trails National Monument, in the California desert. Obama used his authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act for the designation, doubling the amount of land he previously set aside and setting a record. The San Francisco Chronicle … Continue reading An example of why Congress is unpopular
Meramec Caverns may be closed until mid-summer
Toxic fumes have forced the closing of Meramec Caverns near Stanton, Missouri. until at least mid-summer. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the historic roadside attraction off Route 66 closed March 10 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found trichloroethylene vapors above the acceptable limit in the caverns. TCE is a solvent used mainly to remove … Continue reading Meramec Caverns may be closed until mid-summer
Rapper will restore “The Outsiders” house
A rapper in the group House of Pain purchased a house in north Tulsa prominently used in the 1983 film version of "The Outsiders." He plans to restore the dilapidated home and turn it into a museum dedicated to the film and the S.E. Hinton novel on which it's based. Danny O'Connor, aka Danny Boy, of House of … Continue reading Rapper will restore “The Outsiders” house
Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center draws 16,000 its first year
The Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois, is rapidly approaching the first anniversary of its opening and reports more than 16,000 visitors since that time. The Bloomington-Normal region decided to build the Route 66-themed part of McLean County Museum of History because Route 66 tourists were bypassing the Twin Cities. More Route … Continue reading Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center draws 16,000 its first year
Amarillo proposes a cultural district
Amarillo, Texas, is lobbying for the creation of an officially sanctioned cultural district that includes Route 66. According to the Amarillo Globe-News: The proposed district lines aren’t a compact square, but instead stretch to include downtown with the Amarillo Civic Center Complex and Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, Southwest Sixth Avenue/Historic Route 66 with music venues … Continue reading Amarillo proposes a cultural district
Webb City approves Cardinal Route 66 Park
Webb City, Missouri, approved an agreement this week with Cardinal Scale Manufacturing to build a Cardinal Route 66 Park on the city's east side. According to the Joplin Globe: It will have a pavilion, tables, landscaping, flag poles and signs. Cardinal Scale also will provide assistance with maintaining the park. The city has agreed to … Continue reading Webb City approves Cardinal Route 66 Park
Delays pop up for Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Construction for the massive Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) will be delayed two months. Also, a former city attorney told a television station ART could be further delayed because the project runs afoul of the city's Landmarks and Urban Preservation Commission. ART would carve out two center lanes of nine … Continue reading Delays pop up for Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Frances Edwards, the wife of longtime Pig Hip Restaurant owner Ernie Edwards, died March 1 at age 94 at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln, Illinois. She helped her second husband, Ernie, at his landmark Pig Hip in Broadwell, Illinois, for about 30 years until the restaurant closed in 1991 after 54 years in business along Route … Continue reading Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Exploration diver dies in Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole
A diver with an exploration team died Saturday after an apparent accident deep in the underwater caverns of the famed Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Shane Thompson, 43, of San Diego, an experienced diver with the ADM Exploration Foundation, died Saturday after he went missing during his team's much-anticipated exploration of the Blue … Continue reading Exploration diver dies in Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole
Zettlers Route 66 store opening soon in Ash Fork
A couple from Montana is reviving an old business in Ash Fork, Arizona, as the Zettlers Route 66 store. Zettlers Route 66 will open Friday after owners Kirk and Yvette Slack finished about 15 months of cleaning and renovations to the building, reported the Grand Canyon News. The store features a working 1960s Coke machine, Native … Continue reading Zettlers Route 66 store opening soon in Ash Fork