A food and farmers market is one of the proposals being considered for reusing the long-closed El Vado Motel along old Route 66 in Albuquerque, reported KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque seized the historic motel from a local developer who wanted to raze it and build luxury townhouses. Now, after sitting for several … Continue reading El Vado Motel being considered as a food market
A western Missouri side trip
Those who are traveling Route 66 in western Missouri between Springfield and Carthage may want to consider a side trip, according to longtime roadie Tonya Pike. Pike emailed me about the Hangar Kafe, which opened in May in rural Miller, Mo., near the Route 66 hamlets of Avilla and Spencer. I'll let her explain: It … Continue reading A western Missouri side trip
Whirl-A-Whip reopens with new owners
The historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant near an old alignment of Route 66 in Girard, Ill., reopened under new ownership after a two-year hiatus, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Brent and Anita Barnes recently reopened the walk-up stand. It first opened in 1957. It's the special ice-cream maker that gives the restaurant its name: It still uses … Continue reading Whirl-A-Whip reopens with new owners
Michael Wallis confirms there will be a “Cars 3”
Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road," recently traveled to Alton, Ill., for a reunion of Western Military Academy alums. You'll hear him during this 25-minute interview on WGBZ radio in Alton about the military school, plus Route 66 and his role in the movie "Cars." But about the 22-minute mark, you'll hear … Continue reading Michael Wallis confirms there will be a “Cars 3”
Joliet gas station will feature Blue Brothers car atop a pole
The Route 66 Food & Fuel gas station complex under construction on Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., will feature a replica of the car driven by the Blues Brothers on top of a 25-foot pole, according to the Joliet Patch. The Patch said: Ferhat Zerin, a principal planner for Ginkgo Planning & Design, cited the … Continue reading Joliet gas station will feature Blue Brothers car atop a pole
Galena bordello featured in upcoming film
Three filmmakers announced this week the first offering of their latest project, "Shadows on 66," will be released via DVD and download Sept. 13. The first film in a series will feature Galena's Murder Bordello of Galena, Kan. The filmmakers are Brad and Barry Klinge of Discovery Channel’s "Ghost Lab" and Chip Coffey of A&E’s "Paranormal State" and … Continue reading Galena bordello featured in upcoming film
Take a look at History Museum on the Square’s relighted sign
The rooftop neon sign at the History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Mo., was relighted Thursday night, as you can see from the photo above. Here's a video of the relighting, courtesy of the City of Springfield: And KY3 television provided some valuable context about the history of the sign. The sign was … Continue reading Take a look at History Museum on the Square’s relighted sign
History Museum on the Square’s sign is going up
Yesterday, we told you about the neon relighting ceremony that would occur tonight at the History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo. On Wednesday, workers were installing the refabricated sign on the museum's roof, which used to be Barth's department store: According to KOLR-TV: The iconic sign had been part of the square since … Continue reading History Museum on the Square’s sign is going up
Roy’s in Amboy hosts Olympus video and photo shoot
The Olympus website is prominently featuring the Route 66 landmark Roy's in Amboy, Calif., as a way to promote the camera company's OM-D model. A screen capture from a scene of the video shoot is shown above. But I urge you to see the videos and photos from the Roy's shoot here. Commercial photographer John … Continue reading Roy’s in Amboy hosts Olympus video and photo shoot
Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday
The History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Mo., is hosting a "Moon Over the Mother Road" ceremony Thursday night to mark the relighting of Barth's Department Store neon sign on the roof of the museum. It's a private fundraiser, but enough side streets will be open during the ceremony that most people will see … Continue reading Springfield museum relights its neon sign Thursday