“Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released

The World Monuments Fund this month released its report on the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" roundtable held in November at Anaheim, California, that involved many movers and shakers of the Route 66 community. The 67-page Acrobat document can be read in its entirety here. I commend it to your attention. Much of the report … Continue reading “Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released

BLM wants man to remove veterans memorial

A man who finished a small memorial to U.S. veterans three years ago just off Oatman Road (aka Route 66) near Oatman, Arizona, has been ordered to remove it by an official with the Bureau of Land Management, reported the Mohave Valley Daily News. The veterans’ memorial is reached by a series of stone stairs … Continue reading BLM wants man to remove veterans memorial

Milk Bottle Building will be restored

The historic Milk Bottle Building in Oklahoma City will be restored to close to its original appearance, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. Catherine Montgomery, a preservation architect at Preservation & Design Studio who is helping with the project, told the newspaper the interior will be renovated for a new tenant. After removing a sheet of plywood … Continue reading Milk Bottle Building will be restored

Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel

The City of Albuquerque recently requested proposals to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge after two plans fell flat in recent years. However, one prominent business group is recommending a partial teardown of the motel. A group of Albuquerque business owners put together a list of recommendations of what it would like to see … Continue reading Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel

Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles

A severe storm that caused up to $5 million in damage to the Needles, California, included the historic Burger Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Needles Daily Star had a roundup about the Aug. 12 storm, including the Burger Hut: Ana Johnson, owner of The Burger Hut, said she was glad no one was hurt. … Continue reading Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles

Traveling Route 66 exhibit planned for Europe

Three men are planning an unprecedented traveling Route 66 exhibit that will be taken around Europe -- which is a hotbed of enthusiasm for the Mother Road. The men planning the exhibit are Jim Farber, who helped shepherd the current "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit at the Autry National Museum at Los … Continue reading Traveling Route 66 exhibit planned for Europe

‘Million Dollar Courthouse’ needs $20 million in fixes

Locals probably were startled and even irritated when the construction budget for the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville, Illinois, swelled from $50,000 to $1.3 million by the time it was finished in 1870. That's why the landmark has been called the "Million Dollar Courthouse," for good or ill, ever since. Imagine their reaction when, more … Continue reading ‘Million Dollar Courthouse’ needs $20 million in fixes

Cow Bop gets its kicks

The western swing and jazz collective Cow Bop recently completed another edition of its Route 66 music tour, this one called the Linear Music Festival. You can follow what they did here with blog posts, audio and a lot of other goodies. But here's a performance of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" at Cars on the … Continue reading Cow Bop gets its kicks

A visit to the Snow Cap Drive-In

Here's a recent visit to the historic Snow Cap Drive-In restaurant that's graced Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, for more than 60 years. Founder Juan Delgadillo died 10 years ago, but it's apparent from this clip his family is keeping it going quite well. https://youtu.be/_Sz7ySgzvFA For those who never met Juan, here he is in … Continue reading A visit to the Snow Cap Drive-In

Replica of La Bajada Hill sign erected

In recent days, "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela commissioned a replica of a warning sign that long ago graced the top of La Bajada Hill between Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New Mexico. La Bajada Hill served as Route 66 during the 1920s and the early '30s, although the path itself dates to the 1500s as part … Continue reading Replica of La Bajada Hill sign erected