James Cleveland takes his camera all over the Southwest. This video of an abandoned gas station at the ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas and New Mexico border may not be actually infested with spirits, but its desolation and the sounds of the ever-present howling wind might give you the willies. https://youtu.be/wZwhr9mAv5g The sounds … Continue reading A “haunted” gas station on Route 66
Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday
The relighting of the former Skylark Motel's neon -- including its distinctive glass-block tower -- will occur about dusk Saturday at the site in St. Clair, Missouri, according to a news release from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. The ceremony is scheduled to last about 20 minutes. According … Continue reading Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday
Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register
The Ritz Theater, a former movie house on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release from the Kansas Historical Society. The building is at 1145 N. Military Ave. (aka Route 66). The theater's inclusion is all but assured, because the National … Continue reading Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register
We’re back
Route 66 News is back after a nearly five-day outage. In short, I encountered grave and unexpected troubles last week with the site's hosting service and decided to move to a new host. The website went back up partially -- mostly on mobile -- on Saturday, and returned to its full power about noon Sunday. … Continue reading We’re back
Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project
A Native American tourism group and the National Park Service will meet in New Mexico later this month to formally launch the "American Indians and Route 66" project, reported Indian Country Today. The initial meeting of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is set for Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. Tribal lands and … Continue reading Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project
Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega
A series of Facebook posts in recent days and a direct message show an ownership change at Boot Hill Saloon & Grill Restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, has been made or is imminent. Owner, chef and reality-television contestant Rory Schepisi said in an email Sunday "nothing is official at the moment" about the restaurant she's … Continue reading Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega
Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by late January
We're now starting to realize the extent of flooding damage to Route 66 in Southern California in September. Not only do 80 miles through the Mojave Desert remain closed, but it likely will remain closed until late January -- two months later than originally anticipated. According to a story in Inland News Today, Roni Edis … Continue reading Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by late January
Route 66 — a jobs creator
During a formal introduction Wednesday of the logo for the new Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois -- which we already reported months ago -- local officials revealed some eyebrow-raising statistics about the economic value of the Mother Road. Bloomington, which long seemed indifferent to Route 66 for years, suddenly has embraced it. And … Continue reading Route 66 — a jobs creator
Cuba adds five sites to National Historic Register
The town of Cuba, Missouri, recently had big news to announce -- five sites were added in one week to the National Register of Historic Places, including two on Route 66. Cuba's new additions to the National Register were revealed in an email from the National Park Service on Thursday. The National Register listings were … Continue reading Cuba adds five sites to National Historic Register
City of Pacific may buy scenic lookout
The City of Pacific, Missouri, moved to enter into a contract to buy the Lookout on Jensen's Point off Route 66, reported the Washington Missourian. The owner, Wayne Winchester, has set a price of $300,000 for the iconic stone structure of the lookout, 2 1/2 acres and a nearby parking lot. The city hopes to … Continue reading City of Pacific may buy scenic lookout