Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, faces a cloudy future since its longtime patriarch, Bill Shea, died in 2012 at age 91, according to a story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Another Route 66 landmark in Springfield, Joe Rogers' The Chili Den Parlor, also faces an uncertain future since a "closed for repairs" sign was posted … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future
Wedding scheduled on Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
A couple from Slovakia will be married on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis at noon Saturday, May 31, as part of a tour and documentary film by the Czech Route 66 Association. And there's more, according to a news release about the event: The public is invited and … Continue reading Wedding scheduled on Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
A section of old road in western Oklahoma
This is fun. Hunter Bachrach posted this video of driving on an older section of Route 66 in western Oklahoma. This likely is the section east of Erick, that used to be part of a four-lane highway. I suspect a local periodically takes a Brush Hog or snowplow to it. Every so often, it becomes … Continue reading A section of old road in western Oklahoma
New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
A new collection of Nat King Cole hits, including "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," along with previously unreleased material, will arrive in stores June 3, according to a news release from Universal Music. The collection, titled "The Extraordinary Nat King Cole," includes the big hits "Mona Lisa," "Unforgettable," and "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." "Route … Continue reading New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Gallup bucked the system during World War II
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles posted a few videos in recent days for its upcoming "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit. I encourage you to watch this one that features an interview with Hiroshi Miyamura, who says Gallup was the only town in New Mexico to not detain its Japanese-American residents during … Continue reading Gallup bucked the system during World War II
Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
The city of Springfield, Illinois, reported more than 700 building-code violations for the troubled Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66, reported the State Journal-Register. That's on top of the $114,000 in fines levied last year against the Florida-based landlord for nearly 400 code violations. Owner Gopal Motwani is challenging those fines in court. The violations range … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
The City of Joliet, Illinois, hopes to strike an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections so the long-closed Joliet Prison can be reopened for tours, reported the Northwest Herald. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is clamoring for access of the old prison because tourists -- many of them traveling on Route 66 -- want to … Continue reading Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
Wanted: A restorer of signs for Soulsby Station
The owner of the historic Soulsby Station along old Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, is looking for a sign contractor who can do some restoration work on the main Shell sign in front of the station. We happened to be driving a few dozen miles of old 66 in Illinois on Sunday evening when … Continue reading Wanted: A restorer of signs for Soulsby Station
A chat with Kumar Patel at the Wigwam Motel
The Genuine Route 66 Life series points the camera at Kumar Patel, whose family bought the historic Wigwam Motel of San Bernardino, California. https://youtu.be/agYR4mqizh4 The Patels have owned the Wigwam for about 10 years, and have received several awards for the restoration of the property. Before then, the Wigwam had declined into a seedy place … Continue reading A chat with Kumar Patel at the Wigwam Motel