The World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois, has been sold, but the new owner's plans for the landmark remain unclear. The Belleville News-Democrat reported Franklin “Al” Bieri, owner of Mississippi River Construction Co. of O'Fallon, Illinois, announced his purchase of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, which actually is a 170-foot-tall water tower painted to resemble a Brooks … Continue reading World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is sold
Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
Ortega National Parks, a company with roots on Route 66, was given the contract for concessions at the Petrified Forest National Park, reported the Arizona Journal. Xanterra Parks and Resorts held the park's concessions contract for more than 30 years after it bought out the Fred Harvey Company, which served the park for 40 years before that. Petrified … Continue reading Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
If you're in the Tulsa area Friday, you may want to make your way to the Route 66 Village on the southwest part of town and check out the Christmas lighting of its big steam locomotive at 6 p.m. City councilor Jeannie Cue also said Santa Claus will be at the Route 66 Village from 5:30 … Continue reading Route 66 Village train will be lighted Friday for Christmas
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year
The historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, will mark its 90th year with a big New Year's Eve concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and an expanded number of classic-movie screenings and plenty of concerts through 2016, according to the Springfield News-Leader. A total of 12 to 15 films will be screened next year, … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre celebrations to mark its 90th year
The glow of El Vado
Maybe by the year 2017, we'll get to see this again. Dan Uscian recently uploaded footage from June 1994 when the neon tubing of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque still glowed brightly, including its memorably designed sign. https://youtu.be/gKxg7BUSLX0 No one has seen this sight in more than a decade. A developer … Continue reading The glow of El Vado
Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
The restoration of the one-room schoolhouse in the Route 66 hamlet of Phelps, Missouri, marked a milestone Friday by reinstalling the bell tower and bell on the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. The nonprofit Phelps School Community Center started its efforts about a year ago to restore the dilapidated but cherished building, which sits … Continue reading Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale
In October 2014, the news got out that longtime owners Nick and Demi Adam had put the historic Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, up for sale with a $1.2 million price tag. In a follow-up story this week, Adam told the Springfield State Journal-Register the Route 66 restaurant remains for sale, although he said he … Continue reading Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale
Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
The Sixth Street Merchants Association in Amarillo, Texas, last week has added blue ribbons along its Route 66 signs to show support to the city's police department, according to several media reports. According to KFDA-TV: Along with the sign decor, the association also presented Chief of Police Robert Taylor with a plaque of appreciation. "We've … Continue reading Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
Andy Warhol’s visit to Clanton’s Cafe
Pop artist Andy Warhol's pivotal 1963 highway journey from New York City to Los Angeles -- including much of Route 66 -- was chronicled in Deborah Davis' new book, "The Trip." But a recent interview with Davis by the Tulsa World newspaper reveals a tidbit from Warhol's journey not included in the book -- Warhol dined in the famed Clanton's Cafe … Continue reading Andy Warhol’s visit to Clanton’s Cafe