Route 66 aficionados across the pond in the past week have organized a European Route 66 Festival in 2016 that already includes firm dates, activities and the logo you see above. Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Dries Bessels of the Netherlands created the European Route66 Festival page on Facebook -- which is a closed group, but … Continue reading Route 66 festival planned in Europe in 2016
Grant sought for new roof on Navajo County Historic Courthouse
Navajo County will submit a cost-share grant application to help pay for new roof on its historic courthouse in Holbrook, Arizona, according to the The Tribune-News. The application for $30,000 is through the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. If awarded, Navajo County likely will have to share the cost of the roof 50/50 or supply … Continue reading Grant sought for new roof on Navajo County Historic Courthouse
Storage of Tropics sign irks Route 66 advocates
Several Route 66 advocates are upset the City of Lincoln, Illinois, is storing the historic Tropics Dining Room sign outdoors and exposed to the weather at a yard-waste disposal facility after it was taken down last year. Readers emailed me photographs of the Tropics sign laying on its side at the waste facility. From one of the images, it seems one … Continue reading Storage of Tropics sign irks Route 66 advocates
Chicago’s Willis Tower sold for $1.3 billion
Chicago's iconic Willis Tower, still called the Sears Tower by many Windy City residents, was sold for $1.3 billion to New York investment firm Blackstone Group last week. The price tag for the 110-story building -- the second-tallest in the United States -- was the highest for any office building outside New York City. The … Continue reading Chicago’s Willis Tower sold for $1.3 billion
66 Motel in Flagstaff converted into affordable rental housing
The historic 66 Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, is being turned by a nonprofit group into a place for affordable rental housing until its residents can save enough money for better rentals or a down payment on a home. And the nonprofit, ANEW Living, wants to do the same thing to other distressed motels along Route … Continue reading 66 Motel in Flagstaff converted into affordable rental housing
Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Molly Schuyler, who destroyed the Big Texan Steak Ranch's 72-ounce steak challenge record by polishing off the meal in less than five minutes, is coming back to the landmark Amarillo restaurant April 19 to not only defend her title, but eat three of those monster slabs of meat and all the sides in under an … Continue reading Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Gold Dome back on market
The historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City as back for sale after a company's plans to turn it into its headquarters were scrapped because of a nosedive in oil prices, reported The Oklahoman last week. Building owner David Box said he'll try to sell the structure to someone who will preserve the geodesic dome. … Continue reading Gold Dome back on market
Old Riverton Store marks 90 years
On Friday, the Old Riverton Store along old Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas, marked its 90th anniversary of business. Yes, the store actually predates Route 66 by about 18 months. The newest owner, Scott Nelson, who's worked there since he was a teenager many years ago, pledges to keep its old-fashioned feel the same. KODE-TV … Continue reading Old Riverton Store marks 90 years
Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza
The Albuquerque Development Commission on Thursday approved an $8.2 million plan to convert the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge into a condominium and hotel hybrid, according to Albuquerque Business First. It won out over four other proposals, including a $12.4 million plan by an investing group to turn De Anza into a boutique motel that … Continue reading Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza
Route 66 by bicycle
Andre Slabbert of the Cayman Islands last fall completed a 2,351-mile trip on Route 66 by bicycle in a bit less than month. That feat is remarkable enough, but he did it just three months after damaging ligaments in his knee during a training accident. The Route 66 ride raised money for the Nelson Mandela's Children's … Continue reading Route 66 by bicycle