Organizers say the 2016 International Route 66 Festival in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 10-13 will be the first time the festival is in a metropolitan setting. To that end, co-organizer Scott Piotrowski in an email noted another big difference potential attendees should to know: It is important to note that for the first time, … Continue reading Route 66 Festival in 2016 will have a new twist
“Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
The "Boomtown" film, a 41-minute documentary about the history of Tulsa that screened in theaters this summer, now is available on DVD, streaming and download. The film documents Tulsa's history, including its rise as an oil town and its key role in Route 66, with interview footage of "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and … Continue reading “Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
Tulsa finds novel way to dress up Route 66 corridor
A Tulsa nonprofit group is using an intriguing way to highlight its Route 66 corridor, thanks to former state lawmaker Russ Roach and others, reported the Tulsa World. Roach, who founded the nonprofit Route 66 Development Group, has spearheaded efforts to get vinyl prints showcasing the historic highway at certain businesses. Each project is unique … Continue reading Tulsa finds novel way to dress up Route 66 corridor
Photo at Roy’s in Amboy freaks out Internet
A chunk of the Internet is scandalized or even terrified over what appears to be a lot of blood splattered over the inside of one of the rooms of a long-closed motel at Roy's in Amboy, California. A Reddit user on a Route 66 trip photographed the motel building from behind a fence and apparently didn't notice the motel room … Continue reading Photo at Roy’s in Amboy freaks out Internet
What is the length of Route 66?
The length of the original U.S. 66 is commonly cited as 2,448 miles (although Wikipedia lists it as 2,451 miles). Stefan Joppich's research indicates through bypasses and improvements, the length of Route 66 dropped in miles to 2,278 by 1947 -- much of it through the bypass of Santa Fe, which lopped off almost 120. How long … Continue reading What is the length of Route 66?
Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s
Gilberto's Lounge, a mainstay dive bar along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, since the late 1960s, changed hands and now is Mustang Sally's, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Longtime owner Ken Gilbert was supposed to have sold his business more than a year ago, but the sale fell through. The bar kept … Continue reading Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s
Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
The Arroyo Seco Parkway will mark its 75th year of existence this month. The 8-mile stretch of highway, aka Pasadena Freeway or 110 Freeway, opened Dec. 30, 1940. The Los Angeles Daily News provided background on that day: The occasion was marked by parades and proclamations. Rose Queen Sally Stanton cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening it … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
Programming note
We're entering into a slow time of year for news on Route 66. So I'm taking time to update some of the pages on Route 66 News. Specifically, I'm updating the Attractions, Events, Dining, Lodging, Campgrounds and Bars pages. I've set a goal to have them done by New Year's, so they'll be more useful … Continue reading Programming note
North Coast 500: ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’
Yeah, that slogan caught my eye, too. The North Highland Initiative launched a campaign this year in an effort way to lure visitors to the so-called North Coast 500, a circular route that hugs the edge of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. Claire Farquhar, communications and project manager for the North Highland Initiative, explained in an email … Continue reading North Coast 500: ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’
Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful
The good news is U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, long an enemy of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, retired early this year. The bad news is his successor, Sen. James Lankford, has picked up Coburn's schtick and is calling for the program's repeal. For years, Coburn published a yearly report of alleged waste in … Continue reading Oklahoma senator targets Route 66 program as wasteful