The folks in Atlanta, Illinois, unveiled a deceptively simple but unusual new attraction in their Route 66 town -- a Hit the Road game modeled after an old strongman contest commonly seen at county fairs many years ago. The Hit the Road game is next to the Bunyon Statue in downtown Atlanta. More details: The … Continue reading Test your ability to Hit the Road
Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop
The city of Albuquerque and a former restaurant employee settled a lawsuit against the Route 66 Malt Shop over the eatery's refusal to pay a voter-mandated minimum wage increase, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The lawsuit was filed two years ago and was set to go to trial this week. Attorneys had made opening arguments … Continue reading Albuquerque, former worker settle lawsuit with Route 66 Malt Shop
Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
A rival developer's appeal of the city of Albuquerque's decision to award a redevelopment contract for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge was rejected Monday night during the regular council meeting, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The winning contractor, Anthea, will spend a projected $8.2 million to renovate the Route 66 motel into extended-stay lodging, … Continue reading Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected
Week-long Great Race begins Saturday
The annual Hemming Motor News Great Race begins Saturday in Kirkwood, Missouri, and will go down much of Route 66 to the end in Santa Monica, California, on June 28. The Springfield (Mo.) Convention and Visitors Bureau had some details about the event for cars made up to 1972: The cross-country rally is a timed, controlled-speed endurance … Continue reading Week-long Great Race begins Saturday
Full-length documentary about Tulsa’s history coming soon
"Boomtown," a feature-length documentary about the history of Tulsa, will be screened theatrically next month and on Tulsa television stations in August, according to an article in the Tulsa World. Here is the official trailer: Official Trailer HD - Boomtown: An American Journey from Kirkpatrick&Kinslow Productions on Vimeo. Kirkpatrick & Kinslow, based in the Tulsa … Continue reading Full-length documentary about Tulsa’s history coming soon
Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins
The razing of the long-troubled and condemned Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, began Monday, according to varying media outlets in the city. The Springfield State Journal-Register published a gallery of photos of Sheppard's Auto Sales & Salvage doing the demolition work. The company's owner said he hoped he would be finished within … Continue reading Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins
Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer
Vandals damaged portions of the semi-restored ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, on old Route 66 last week, according to a report by KYTV in nearby Springfield. Quentin Stockman is the caretaker for the complex. Spencer lies on a 1928 alignment of Route 66, and the buildings were renovated to look like that era. “That used … Continue reading Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer
New renderings of Sapulpa’s giant gas pump released
New artist's renderings were released Monday of the giant gas pump that will be built outside the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum on Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Initial reports more than two weeks ago said the pump was going to be 20 feet tall. It turns out the museum's organizers underestimated the pump's … Continue reading New renderings of Sapulpa’s giant gas pump released
If you want to get married on Route 66 …
... Laurel Kane at Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, get 'er done as a marriage officiant. Kane presided over her first official nuptials Saturday for a couple that had been together for 13 years. You can read the details at her blog, but here are the important details for anyone else who's considering getting hitched: … Continue reading If you want to get married on Route 66 …
Old-school “Route 66”
If you want to know what it sounded like when the Nat King Cole Trio's version of "Route 66" came out on 78 rpm record in 1946, you have your chance -- cracks, pops and all. Route 66 from Ricky Doo Wop on Vimeo. This was the record that jump-started Bobby Troup's career and spawned … Continue reading Old-school “Route 66”