About 200 people attended a memorial service Tuesday night at Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, for The Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, who died at age 67 on Monday from several illnesses. The Associated Press reported that Winslow residents, including Tom McCauley, staged the memorial at the corner made famous by the 1972 … Continue reading Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow
“Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
There's a little corner in Winslow, Arizona, that's a sadder sight to see Glenn Frey, a co-founder of the mega-selling country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer of one of its early hits, "Take It Easy," that made the Route 66 town internationally famous, died Monday at age 67 after suffering from several ailments for weeks. Frey … Continue reading “Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
Former co-owner of Blue Swallow Motel dies
Dale Bakke, a co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, during a crucial time for the Route 66 landmark's preservation, died Jan. 4, a month short of his 61st birthday. Dale Bakke and his wife, Hilda, bought the motel in 1999, not long after owner Gene Shelton bought it from its longtime matriarch, Lillian Redman. … Continue reading Former co-owner of Blue Swallow Motel dies
Season begins for Route 66 cost-share grant applications
If you own a historic Route 66 business or property that needs upkeep, now is is the time to apply for a cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. The program announced Friday applications will be accepted until April 1. More about it: The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program provides cost-share grant assistance … Continue reading Season begins for Route 66 cost-share grant applications
Mural will be added to Chelsea pedestrian tunnel
A mural that will portray the history of Chelsea, Oklahoma, will be painted on the pedestrian tunnel that goes under Route 66 in the town, reported The Daily Progress of nearby Claremore, Oklahoma. Artist Ken Hollingshead of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has been preparing the walls of the tunnel. It will be closed for about a month as he's … Continue reading Mural will be added to Chelsea pedestrian tunnel
Group formed to restore The Tropics sign
A group of local leaders has been formed to restore The Tropics sign that once stood along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The committee includes those from Logan County Economic Development Partnership, Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, Logan County Alliance, Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation, the city of Lincoln and family members of the restaurant's former owners, reported the Lincoln … Continue reading Group formed to restore The Tropics sign
This shows why black people aren’t nostalgic about Route 66
Interest in the history of Route 66 largely is fueled by the memories of people who traveled the Mother Road from 1946 to the mid-1960s. It's nostalgia. Black people don't share nostalgia as enthusiastically. I surmised it was because Jim Crow laws kept African-Americans at least uncomfortable or, at worst, fearful for their lives until the civil-rights … Continue reading This shows why black people aren’t nostalgic about Route 66
$500,000 grant accepted for Arizona State Railroad Museum
The city of Williams, Arizona, accepted a $500,000 state grant to help acquire artifacts for the Arizona State Railroad Museum, reported the Williams News. The grant, which will be available by fiscal year 2018, came with help from the Northern Arizona Council of Governments. It requires a $5,000 administrative fee and a 5.7 percent match of any money … Continue reading $500,000 grant accepted for Arizona State Railroad Museum
Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
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