Several media outlets in the St. Louis area reported the Oscar Mayer brand is interested in buying the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, which went up for sale earlier this month. However, at least one metro-east news website regarded the reports with skepticism. The speculation was fueled by Oscar Mayer's famous Wienermobile making an appearance at the … Continue reading Will Oscar Mayer buy the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle?
Fran Houser puts her Sunflower Station up for sale
Fran Houser, former owner of the Route 66 landmark Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, has put her western-themed antiques and crafts store, Sunflower Station, up for sale so she can spend more time with family members out west. Houser started Sunflower Station two years ago after she sold the Midpoint to Dennis Purschwitz, … Continue reading Fran Houser puts her Sunflower Station up for sale
Strike up the Band-Box
Jo Ellis, a columnist for the Joplin Globe newspaper, reported about a sometimes-overlooked but cherished part of the history of Carthage, Missouri -- the rare Chicago Coin's Band-Box, also known as “Strike Up the Band," in the Pancake Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Band-Box is a coin-operated miniature, robotic big band that's been in … Continue reading Strike up the Band-Box
Did Springfield, Missouri, miss the boat in promoting Route 66?
A few days ago, the Springfield News-Leader published a long, soul-searching piece titled "Selling 66" that asks the question: Has Springfield, Missouri, done a good job promoting Route 66? If you have to ask, you know the answer. Springfield has realized its error and is trying new things to bring tourists, including the future Birthplace of … Continue reading Did Springfield, Missouri, miss the boat in promoting Route 66?
Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference
A few days ago, the World Monuments Fund uploaded this eight-minute video that summarizes the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" conference that took place in November at a hotel near Disney's Cars Land in California. You'll probably see a few familiar faces from Route 66, including Dawn Welch at the Rock Cafe, Kevin Mueller at … Continue reading Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference
A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
KC Keefer with his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series interviews Vickie Ashcraft at the Enchanted Trails RV Park west of Albuquerque. The interview also serves as a brief tour of a couple of the vintage travel trailers that Ashcraft rents out to overnight guests. If you'd like to stay in one, go here. … Continue reading A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
Tours offered of hard-to-access Route 66 sites in Arizona
The Petrified Forest National Park is allowing free, guided tours of hard-to-reach landmarks on a long-closed section of Route 66 on Aug. 8 and Aug. 10. The tours coincide with the Route 66 festival taking place that weekend in nearby Holbrook, Arizona. The Arizona Journal had a listing of the sites that will be included during … Continue reading Tours offered of hard-to-access Route 66 sites in Arizona
Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Armand Ortega Sr., 86, savior of the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, when it faced the wrecking ball during the 1980s, died Wednesday. An employee at the hotel said Ortega had been in failing health for about a year. His funeral was today at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, with burial at Sunset Cemetery. Ortega Family Enterprises, based in Santa Fe, owns … Continue reading Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Outdoor concert will benefit Sprague’s station
An outdoor benefit concert by a local country-music band for the Sprague's Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, will be coupled with free tours of the historic facility Sunday by owner Terri Ryburn, reported WJBC radio. Sprague's Super Service 305 E. Pine St. in Normal is hosting an outdoor concert from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. … Continue reading Outdoor concert will benefit Sprague’s station
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2014 grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced five cost-share grants totaling $77,000 for 2014, including one for an endangered bridge in Oklahoma. Here are the recipients: Rock Creek Bridge, Sapulpa, Oklahoma ($5,013 National Park Service grant, $5,013 match by recipient)– The bridge carried traffic on Route 66 from 1926 until 1952. The bridge, on the … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2014 grants