The Jackson Boulevard Bridge in Chicago, which carried Route 66 until the 1950s, marks the 100th anniversary of its opening today. The North Loop News dug up history on the draw bridge over the Chicago River, which still is used today. --- The bridge replaced a swing bridge built in 1888. A photo of it … Continue reading Jackson Boulevard Bridge marks 100th birthday
Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Laurel Kane, 69, matriarch of the Afton Station visitors center on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, died Thursday from a short illness as the result of a fall at her home in Tulsa earlier in the week, according to her former husband, David Kane. David Kane said by phone Laurel died peacefully with him, her daughter and longtime … Continue reading Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
I missed this when it was announced last week, but a Pixar animator now is an Academy Award nominee because of his short film, inspired by his childhood at a Route 66 motel in California. Sanjay Patel, with producer Nicole Grindle, were nominated for an Oscar in the short film (animated) category for "Sanjay's Super Team." Here's a synopsis … Continue reading Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized
Guadalupe County officially struck a deal to buy the closed Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, according to last week's print edition of The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. The newspaper reported the county signed a purchase agreement of $60,000 from longtime owner Rudy "Spider" Sanchez. The theater, however, will need an estimated $700,000 in upgrades before it … Continue reading County’s Pecos Theatre purchase finalized
Old Dairy Queen sign in Holbrook endangered
A 50-year-old neon sign at a Dairy Queen restaurant along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, is in danger from the chain's corporate headquarters that wants to replace it with a more modern sign. David Heward, a Route 66 booster in Holbrook, wrote on the Save the Holbrook Dairy Queen Sign page on Facebook: Howdy folks! I have just … Continue reading Old Dairy Queen sign in Holbrook endangered
Decade-old Cars film still draws tourists to Route 66
In a few months, the Disney-Pixar animated Cars film will mark its 10th anniversary. Because of its setting included the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, the film brought several years' worth of new tourists to the real Route 66. Based on Route 66 News' steady and solid traffic over the years with the story about the … Continue reading Decade-old Cars film still draws tourists to Route 66
Mahan gas station moved to restaurant
The historic Mahan gas station that sat at the now-closed Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, was moved Sunday about a quarter-mile north to its new owner, Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta, reported the State Journal-Register. Owner Jeff Fulgenzi told the newspaper he plans to restore it as much as possible to its original state. It was placed … Continue reading Mahan gas station moved to restaurant
Coliseum Ballroom film will previewed at tribute show
A documentary film about the Coliseum Ballroom in Benld, Illinois, will be previewed at a Feb. 20 tribute show for the former Route 66 landmark. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois: "Memories of the Coliseum Ballroom," which will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, will feature music by former members of Frankie … Continue reading Coliseum Ballroom film will previewed at tribute show
Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Terri Ryburn, who's owned the Sprague Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, for almost 10 years and has spent all that time getting the historic property shored up, will open a Route 66 gift shop and visitors center on the premises this spring. This little tidbit was revealed during a recent blog post for the … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Final 2015 report of Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative panel released
The steering committee of the Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative last week issued a final report of what it did in 2015 and what it hopes to carry out in 2016. You can read the entire 13-page report here. The committee's goals sprang from a series of workshops held in several Route 66 states … Continue reading Final 2015 report of Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative panel released