This 40-minute video by Tulsa Community College's Documentary Filmmaking class explains the unique challenges and possibilities of Route 66 tourism in Tulsa. You'll see a lot of interviews with Tulsa business owners along the Mother Road. https://youtu.be/cjsA94IXQqU The video is really well done. Tulsa, for a long time, tended to gloss over its issues with … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 challenges
Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles marks 35th year
The Wagon Wheel Restaurant on Route 66 in Needles, Calif., marked its 35th anniversary on Aug. 1, according to the Needles Desert Star, although a restaurant has been on that site for longer than that. The restaurant used the day for various special meals and drinks to commemorate 35 years. Customers also could get added … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles marks 35th year
Severe flooding strikes Waynesville
The Route 66 town of Waynesville, Mo., suffered widespread property damage and at least one death Tuesday after torrential rains led to flash flooding, according to The Associated Press, the Waynesville Daily Guide and other media reports. A summary of what happened: At least seven inches of rain fell in nearby Fort Leonard Wood, but up … Continue reading Severe flooding strikes Waynesville
Mural artist creating Route 66 artwork in Needles
Robin Morrow, who already has painted Route 66-themed artwork on walls in Needles, Calif., also is offering to help businesses in town rejuvenate existing artwork, the Needles Desert Star reported. The newspaper also explained what is planned with the city's future mural projects: Morrow was hired by the Needles Economic Development Corporation to create a … Continue reading Mural artist creating Route 66 artwork in Needles
Little America Hotel in Flagstaff plans huge expansion
The Little America Hotel near Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., is planning a humongous expansion and redevelopment of its grounds, including a second hotel, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. The proposal includes more than 1,400 residential units, 400,000 square feet of commercial space, an 18-hole golf course and a new 200-room hotel, located alongside the … Continue reading Little America Hotel in Flagstaff plans huge expansion
Big Texan restaurant will be subject of documentary
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and its colorful history will be the subject of a documentary by a Tennessee-based filmmaker, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Audrey Kalivoda of Mesquite 90 Productions has been gathering footage at the 53-year-old restaurant the past several weeks. Co-owner Bobby Lee hired Kalivoda to make the film, which promises … Continue reading Big Texan restaurant will be subject of documentary
Kingman already making plans for 2014 festival
The Route 66 Alliance announced Friday that Kingman, Ariz., would be the host city for the 2014 International Route 66 Festival. The Aug. 13-17 festival is more than a year away. But based on a Sunday report in the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper, the town already is preparing for it. It will include events at … Continue reading Kingman already making plans for 2014 festival
Exotic World co-founder Dixie Evans dies
Dixie Evans, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike who co-founded Exotic World (later the Burlesque Hall of Fame) on a former goat farm near Route 66 near Helendale, Calif., died this past weekend, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and other media outlets on Monday. She was 86. The newspaper said Evans had been in an assisted-care … Continue reading Exotic World co-founder Dixie Evans dies
Notes from the Route 66 festival
This post will be a placekeeper of tidbits and news from the just-completed International Route 66 Festival in Joplin, Mo. First off, here's an unedited video from the Friday part of the festival weekend that includes Gary Turner at Gay Parita station and the Boots Motel: https://youtu.be/OrQ2crgmiWY Longtime roadie Jennifer Bremer posted about 130 photos … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 festival
A concert between two Packards
Here's The Road Crew, performing Bobby Troup's best-known song between two Packards at Afton Station in Afton, Okla. This was during the International Route 66 Festival weekend in nearby Joplin, Mo. https://youtu.be/FYTqfmMnoTQ