Even though it doesn't have all the money needed for the project, the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington, Illinois, is taking bids on building a tourism center that will highlight Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project would turn the south lawn of the museum square into a plaza pointing visitors to the … Continue reading Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center
Tuxedo cruising
Here's Roy Gaines and His Orchestra playing a nice arrangement of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," from Gaines' 2009 album, "Tuxedo Blues." If you like a big horn section, this is for you: https://youtu.be/IbcQhWcBcTY The song may be downloaded for 99 cents here. Gaines has quite a biography. In addition to a long career in music, … Continue reading Tuxedo cruising
A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station
KC Keefer continues his Genuine Route 66 Life video series with an interview with Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma. Afton Station, a former gas station on Route 66 in town, was converted into a display area for a Packards collection and as a visitors center for Route 66 travelers. https://youtu.be/B3NpM-BRY9k Kane … Continue reading A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station
Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes
Holy cow. A woman from Nebraska devoured two of the Big Texan Steak Ranch's trademark 72-ounce steak dinners in less than 15 minutes Monday, reported the Amarillo Globe-News, and set an apparent record in the process. Molly Schuyler of Bellevue, Nebraska, reportedly polished off the first meal in less than five minutes. If the timing … Continue reading Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes
Old motel cabins in Joplin soon will be removed
Old motel cabins on Route 66 in Joplin, Missouri, soon will be razed or removed, according to a story by a business columnist Wally Kennedy in the Joplin Globe newspaper. The item was tucked into a story about Rob's Audio Solutions, which was forced to move from 2604 N. Range Line Road (aka Route 66) to … Continue reading Old motel cabins in Joplin soon will be removed
The lost photos of Joplin
May 22 marked the third anniversary of the powerful tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, and changed that Route 66 city forever. I recommend you read this story from Al-Jazeera America about the Lost Photos of Joplin project, which collected more than 40,000 photographs scattered by the storm. There are lithographs of ancestors from the 1800s, … Continue reading The lost photos of Joplin
Ground broken on Birthplace of Route 66 Park
Officials in Springfield, Missouri, held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the Birthplace of Route 66 Park as part of the College Street revitalization project. This report by KOLR-TV contains some vintage footage of Route 66 in Springfield: Officials hope to get the first stage of the park completed by the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival … Continue reading Ground broken on Birthplace of Route 66 Park
‘Mad Men’ re-creates Burger Chef along Route 66
The AMC television series "Mad Men" last week ended an episode with several of its characters dining at a Burger Chef restaurant. For a drama that takes place during the 1960s, it was appropriate to stage a scene in one of that era's quintessential burger chains. To accomplish this, the show's creators used a former Burger … Continue reading ‘Mad Men’ re-creates Burger Chef along Route 66
Devil’s Elbow Bridge reopens to traffic
The historic Devil's Elbow Bridge along Route 66 in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, reopened to traffic Thursday -- three months early -- after much-needed repairs were completed. The blog of Pulaski County Tourism Bureau has the details of the unannounced reopening: Pulaski County Commissioner Gene Newkirk noted that the first vehicles to cross the bridge were … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Bridge reopens to traffic
Tucumcari considers offering abandoned property to businesses at low cost
The Quay County Sun newspaper reported a county commissioner is proposing that Tucumcari, New Mexico, essentially give away abandoned property to businesses. Under the plan, the city would make some abandoned properties and buildings it owns available to new or expanding business at low or no cost, thus providing an incentive for businesses to grow or locate … Continue reading Tucumcari considers offering abandoned property to businesses at low cost