Oklahoma Living magazine, a publication of electric cooperatives of Oklahoma, recently made this Table Talk video about Dan's Bar-B-Que Pit, which has served hungry folks on Route 66 in Davenport, Oklahoma, for more than 40 years. https://youtu.be/y7LU_ExHlXo Incidentally, the video's host goes by the name of Grant Leatherwood, which is so awesome you'd swear it … Continue reading A visit to Dan’s Bar-B-Que Pit
“Stranded”
North of Nashville, which calls itself "America's Two-Man Outlaw Country Band," stopped on old Route 66 in Depew, Oklahoma, a few days ago and videotaped this performance of one of its songs. https://youtu.be/5CKtLOyPR0Q North of Nashville decided to get off the interstate to take Route 66 from the Oklahoma City area to Tulsa, on the … Continue reading “Stranded”
La Fonda changes ownership
La Fonda on the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, changed hands last week, but reportedly little else will change with the historic hotel, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper. The Ballen family had owned the hotel for more than four decades. They turned over the assets to Jennifer Kimball, a current … Continue reading La Fonda changes ownership
‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
On a stretch of old Route 66 east of Albuquerque is a set of rumble strips that play "America the Beautiful" when you drive over them. We'll let KOAT-TV in Albuquerque explain: https://youtu.be/upOtu16yOFg The Associated Press reported that Tigress Productions created the road in Tijeras, New Mexico, for a new National Geographic Channel series, "Crowd … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
Developer chosen for El Vado Motel
A developer has been picked by the city of Albuquerque to redevelop the historic El Vado Motel -- including it being partly revived as a boutique motel, according to Albuquerque Business First. Palindrome Communities is the developer, which is a partnership between PacifiCap and the Sawmill Community Land Trust. Its proposal calls for creating a … Continue reading Developer chosen for El Vado Motel
Mobil pegasus sign taken out of mothballs in Carthage
A Mobil pegasus neon sign that had been in storage for more than 30 years has been removed from the mothballs, donated and reinstalled at a renovated Skelly Filling Station in Carthage, Missouri, reported the Carthage Press. Jerry Perry, president and CEO of Grace Energy Corporation, gave a Mobil pegasus sign to Mark Jenny and … Continue reading Mobil pegasus sign taken out of mothballs in Carthage
County will seek grant for Sidewalk Highway
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, will apply for a $300,000 "Rails to Trails" grant to shore up and ultimately preserve the Route 66 section of the historic Ribbon Road, aka Sidewalk Highway, between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma, reported the Miami News-Record. The article does a good job explaining the complex issues about preserving the 1922 Sidewalk Highway, … Continue reading County will seek grant for Sidewalk Highway
Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Annabelle Russell, 68, who with her husband Harley Russell made up the irreverent Mediocre Music Makers at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Oklahoma, died Tuesday afternoon after a 3 1/2-year bout with cancer. The Facebook page for Harley and Annabelle posted sad but typical message Tuesday: Dear friends, my Precious Annabelle just passed away 1:10p.m. this afternoon … Continue reading Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Route 66 photo exhibit opens in Tulsa on Friday
An exhibit by photographer Jessica Harvey, "Mother Road," opens Friday at the Hardesty Arts Center in downtown Tulsa, with noted "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and Route 66 Alliance co-founder Michael Wallis speaking during the exhibition's opening. According to a news release from the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, Wallis mentored Harvey for her two-month solo journey … Continue reading Route 66 photo exhibit opens in Tulsa on Friday
Historic landmark for sale in Missouri
The turn-of-the-century Weeks Hardware Co. building on Route 66 in Carterville, Missouri, is listed for sale. Ordinarily, I don't publish stories about properties for sale on the Mother Road. But this one is an exception because of its historic nature and prominence in Carterville's downtown. According to Kathy Sidenstricker at Smith Midwest Real Estate, the Weeks building at … Continue reading Historic landmark for sale in Missouri