A total of 11,000 people participated in a variety of races during the past weekend's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, including the 26.2-mile main event. A few highlights on what has become one of Tulsa's biggest events in less than a decade: Jason Cook of Norman, Oklahoma, who was runner-up in last year's marathon, won … Continue reading 11,000 participate in Route 66 Marathon
Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale
Bill Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, has been put on the market after the property cleared probate following the longtime owner's death in December, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper noted the museum's Facebook page had this message a few days ago: Post by Shea's Route 66 Museum. According to the newspaper: … Continue reading Bill Shea’s Route 66 Museum put up for sale
Joplin buys old Route 66 garage
The city of Joplin, Missouri, recently bought a long-abandoned 1920s garage building that it plans to convert into a Route 66 attraction -- most likely a visitors center, reported the Joplin Globe. Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the newspaper the city had purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (also … Continue reading Joplin buys old Route 66 garage
Skylark Motel tower glows again
The former Skylark Motel tower on old Route 66 in St. Clair, Missouri, shined with the glow of neon again after a ceremony Saturday night at the building, which now serves as the VFW Post 2482. According to a news release about the event, about 150 people attending cheered when the light switch was thrown … Continue reading Skylark Motel tower glows again
A glimpse at the future Billboard Museum
If you're a longtime traveler on Route 66 who wonders what happened to the old neon sign for the Rio Siesta Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, we have an answer. It -- along with several dozen other signs and billboards -- are safely in a storage warehouse in the Oklahoma City area until the Billboard Museum … Continue reading A glimpse at the future Billboard Museum
Silica plant in Pacific plans major expansion
The U.S. Silica plant along old Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, is planning an expansion that would double production there and add 117-foot-tall building, reported the Washington Missourian . The newspaper reported: U.S. Silica’s Pacific plant is a prime supplier of sand for the oil fracking industry due to availability of Union Pacific (UP) and … Continue reading Silica plant in Pacific plans major expansion
Sam Payne gets his kicks
Based on this performance with guitarist Brady Bills, you'd think Sam Payne is some sort of jazz artist. https://youtu.be/e5nV4LasR7E But you go to his website, and you hear country-folk music -- which indicates a musician with considerable chops. You may find yourself listening to the tunes the Utah native streams through there, as I did.
Rancho Cucamonga station may reopen by July
The historic Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, may reopen next year as a museum -- perhaps by July, in time for its centennial, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The article details the work the nonprofit Route 66 IECA group has done since taking over the property in January: When … Continue reading Rancho Cucamonga station may reopen by July
A chat with Jerry McClanahan
KC Keefer adds to his "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a talk with Route 66 artist, author and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his studio in Chandler, Oklahoma. https://youtu.be/ISZLdWzTx2o McClanahan has been traveling regularly on Route 66 for more than 30 years, and his memories of the Mother Road date back even further. Novice … Continue reading A chat with Jerry McClanahan
“The Tattoo Man of Route 66”
We meant to post this on Veterans Day, the same day The Road Crew debuted a music video about Route 66 enthusiast and Vietnam combat veteran Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. But that was when Route 66 News' old hosting service quit working. We have a new hosting service, but this is a … Continue reading “The Tattoo Man of Route 66”