The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
Albuquerque RV park wants to create a hubcap tree
Vickie Ashcraft of the Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post in west Albuquerque wants help in creating what she hopes would be a new Route 66 attraction -- an 18-foot-tall tree made entirely of hubcaps. You might think the hubcap tree was inspired by the more modestly sized Christmas one at Cars Land at Disneyland … Continue reading Albuquerque RV park wants to create a hubcap tree
100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
The first of many drive-in theaters opened in New Mexico in 1914. More than 100 years later, someone has compiled an interactive map that shows more than 4,600 drive-in theaters built in the United States. Below is a screen capture of the map, but the direct link to it is here (the map may take several … Continue reading 100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
More about that church in Amboy
Earlier in the month, we reported the steeple at the long-closed church in Amboy, California, would be restored after the elements finally toppled it in 2013. Specifics about the history of the St. Raymond Church in Amboy were scant, save for vague second- and third-hand information. I wrote the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, … Continue reading More about that church in Amboy
Councilor feels heat over Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
Albuquerque business owners along Central Avenue gave new city councilor Pat Davis an earful about a proposed rapid-transit bus system during a meeting of the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association. Albuquerque Rapid Transit would take up two lanes of a large section of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) for bus lines that would mimic commuter trains. The proposal, shepherded by … Continue reading Councilor feels heat over Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan
Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route
Melba Rigg, one of the original four women of the 4 Women on the Route station in Galena, Kansas, before its name changed to Cars on the Route, announced her retirement over the weekend. Rigg wrote on a Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/melba.rigg/posts/944043785674648 This video by KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series interviewed Rigg couple … Continue reading Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route
Pontiac sees sixth consecutive year of tourism growth
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Illinois, finished 2015 with its sixth consecutive year of tourism growth, according to visitor sign-ins at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum tallied 25,720 visitors in 2015, which was a 4 percent increase over the previous year's 24,736. That's more than double from the … Continue reading Pontiac sees sixth consecutive year of tourism growth
Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
The neon lights of the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City glowed with life for the first time in nearly five years Friday as a preview for its spring reopening as a performance venue and bars. The Associated Press reported: Scott Marsh, chief operations officer at Levelland Productions, is planning a “soft opening” by early April for … Continue reading Neon lights at Tower Theatre turned on again
Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Chris and Katie Robleski of Fading Nostalgia recently used their night photography talents to shoot the inside of the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Robleskis wrote a blog about gaining access to the theater's seldom-seen interior. Their 26-minute podcast goes not only into the decaying but beautiful Majestic Theatre and the troubled history … Continue reading Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Outtakes from the Route 66 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue featuring Route 66 was published almost a year ago, but this video I haven't seen made its way to YouTube a couple of days ago. You'll see a lot of Route 66 landmarks, and plenty of footage of the late Gary Turner, owner of Gay Parita gas station west of … Continue reading Outtakes from the Route 66 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue