The new Route 66 Visitors Center in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, has been open less than two weeks, but the local convention and visitors bureau says it's already made a big effect on the local economy. According to a report by WJBC radio, the center has drawn 885 visitors in 12 days and has generated $150,000 … Continue reading New Bloomington center already makes big impact
A typical day on the Santa Monica Pier
If you hold any lingering doubts whether the "66: End of the Trail" sign on the Santa Monica Pier is an attraction, check out how many people use it as a photo op during this time-lapse video. END OF TRAIL Route 66 from A. Cooper on Vimeo. The video also uses a tilt-shift effect, where … Continue reading A typical day on the Santa Monica Pier
Offering more than advertised
A guy owned a business in Catoosa, Oklahoma, called Route 66 Massage. According to a report by Fox 23 in nearby Tulsa, customers apparently could get more than just a backrub. Based on the report, the operators were none too subtle about what they were offering. Route 66 Massage offered truth in advertising in one … Continue reading Offering more than advertised
Scenes of the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run
Videos from the recently completed 28th edition of the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run in the western part of the state undoubtedly will be trickling in over the next few days. There are a couple, however, that have surfaced that are particularly noteworthy. One was made by the Route 66 Gift Shop in Seligman, Arizona, … Continue reading Scenes of the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run
Murphy Building in East St. Louis being torn down
The historic but long-closed Murphy Building in downtown East St. Louis, Illinois, will be completely demolished within a month, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As recently as a year ago, local preservationists were optimistic something could be done with the structure at 234 Collinsville Ave., less than a block off the 1940s-50s alignment of Route … Continue reading Murphy Building in East St. Louis being torn down
The story behind the first Fun Run
Ryan Abella, a reporter for the Kingman Daily Miner in Kingman, Arizona, dug into the newspaper's archives for a story on the very first Arizona Route 66 Fun Run in 1988. The 28th edition of the Fun Run finishes today. Abella found some fascinating tidbits about the inaugural event: --- The Fun Run started not … Continue reading The story behind the first Fun Run
Buffalo Inn closes amid bankruptcy
The historic Buffalo Inn restaurant and lounge along Route 66 in Upland, California, closed unexpectedly this week and may remain shuttered for good, reported columnist David Allen for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. It was reported in 2012 the restaurant at 1814 W. Foothill Blvd. -- which dates to 1929 -- faced an uncertain future … Continue reading Buffalo Inn closes amid bankruptcy
Another museum opens in Pontiac tomorrow
The long-planned Museum of Gilding Arts in downtown Pontiac, Illinois, opens to the public for the first time at 9 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release from Pontiac Tourism. The museum is at 217 N. Mill St. (map here) and will be near four other museums in Pontiac, including the Illinois Route 66 Hall of … Continue reading Another museum opens in Pontiac tomorrow
More signs of Route 66 revitalization in Tulsa
KOTV in Tulsa filed this story about the ongoing revitalization of 11th Street, aka Route 66, in Tulsa. NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | The intriguing part of the neighborhood is Soul City, a design studio housed in a former gas station that soon will open a restaurant, … Continue reading More signs of Route 66 revitalization in Tulsa
Pixar short film uses Route 66 motel as its setting
An upcoming short film by Pixar Animation Studios, "Sanjay's Super Team," uses a Route 66 motel as its setting. That's because the short's director, Sanjay Patel, saw his parents buy and operate Route 66's Lido Motel in San Bernardino, California, according to the Los Angeles Times. His family still owns the motel. The short film will be … Continue reading Pixar short film uses Route 66 motel as its setting