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
Hawkins Mill in Springfield being torn down
The 75-year-old Hawkins Mill, a landmark in Springfield, Missouri, soon will be torn down to make way for an unspecified new development. KVTV-TV in Springfield reported: Originally Hawkins Mill, it opened along College Street/U.S. Route 66 in 1940. Kansas Expressway was eventually constructed just yards west of the structure. The mill eventually became an familiar … Continue reading Hawkins Mill in Springfield being torn down
66 Corridor project appears to be dead
During the gap between the Christmas and New Year's holidays, federal officials apparently nixed a long-simmering 66 Corridor interstate proposal, aka Interstate 66, that would have linked Paducah, Kentucky, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Associated Press first broke the story. The 66 Corridor plan had bounced around for more than two decades. This part of the story … Continue reading 66 Corridor project appears to be dead
A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
A lot of people -- especially Europeans -- know about the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, and its draw as the setting for the 1987 film "Bagdad Cafe." But not many know about Andree Pruett, owner of the Route 66 restaurant for about 20 years. The Victorville Daily Press published a profile of Pruett. … Continue reading A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon
A part of the Interstate 15/215 interchange project that would reconnect a portion of old Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California, was slated to be finished by May. But a new report in the Victorville Daily Press indicates it will reopen early this year. To the south, Route 66 proceeds three-quarters of a mile … Continue reading Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon