Mark Rivera, a reporter at WAND-TV, paid a recent visit to Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup in the Route 66 town of Funks Grove, Ill. This is about the time of year that the Funk family begins its annual harvest. https://youtu.be/H2mpvQwkS_Y You can order their delicious products here. UPDATE: The Chicago Tribune also posted a … Continue reading It’s maple sirup time
A new way of seeing the Santa Monica Pier
I'll bet you've never seen the Santa Monica Pier this way before: Santa Monica Airlines from robert mcintosh on Vimeo. The video was created by Robert Macintosh, who specializes in aerial photography. When asked how he threaded the camera through the Ferris Wheel, he confessed: “I just held my breath and tried not to blink.” … Continue reading A new way of seeing the Santa Monica Pier
Rock Creek Bridge closed to traffic
The historic Rock Creek Bridge on the old Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66 in Sapulpa, Okla., was closed to traffic Thursday after a state inspection deemed it unsafe, reported the Sapulpa Daily Herald. A visit to the 1921 bridge Friday revealed that in addition to "Bridge Out" signs, large chunks of concrete laid onto … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge closed to traffic
“Route 66,” from an Albuquerque garage
Well, I'm not positive this version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" was recorded in a Duke City garage. But this cover by The Monkeymen was indeed captured in low-fidelity in Albuquerque and released by a local label, QQ Records, in 1965. https://youtu.be/1LI_yh4RFdE The history of the band is obscure, but bits and pieces can be … Continue reading “Route 66,” from an Albuquerque garage
Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business
At least three vintage duplexes from Joplin, Mo., were moved to the Red Oak II property near Carthage, Mo., on Wednesday, according to several photos and posts on Red Oak II's Facebook page. The sprawling Red Oak II complex, a few miles north of Route 66, serves as a re-creation of old-time, small-town America by artist Lowell Davis. … Continue reading Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business
Boots Motel needs help with “Raze the Roof” project
The Boots Motel, a Route 66 landmark in Carthage, Mo., needs both volunteer and financial assistance in the coming weeks for its "Raze the Roof" effort. The new owners want to remove the motel's gabled roof so its original flat roof can be restored. More from a news release by Ron Hart of the Route … Continue reading Boots Motel needs help with “Raze the Roof” project
Route 66-related murals planned in Joplin
An artist and a businessman plan a pair of Route 66-related murals on the outside wall of a hardware store in Joplin, Mo., on one of the older Route 66 alignments, reported the Joplin Globe. The newspaper said: Paul Whitehill, of Images in Tile, is proposing to install two tile wall murals and a tourist … Continue reading Route 66-related murals planned in Joplin
Home movies of Tucumcari, circa 1960
The Historic Tucumcari page on Facebook posted this 15-minute home movie, circa 1960, from the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M. Locations in the film include the Tri-Angle Café, Tucumcari Memorial Park cemetery, Harry's Cafe, and the train station. Does anyone know whether Harry's or the Tri-Angle were on 66? https://youtu.be/C0nJ6d6KInA Regardless, the film is … Continue reading Home movies of Tucumcari, circa 1960
Sinkhole appears next to Route 66 in Galena
During a time in which a sinkhole in Florida drew national attention, another sinkhole appeared next to Route 66 west of Galena, Kan., reported KOAM-TV. Fortunately, this hole hasn't caused any injuries or deaths. But its sudden appearance prompted highway officials to block one lane of traffic on Route 66 until they determine whether the … Continue reading Sinkhole appears next to Route 66 in Galena
Vintage fashion shopping in Amarillo
Andrew Evans of National Geographic's Digital Nomad site is spending the next month or so traveling in the state of his birth, Texas. One of his first dispatches comes from Rag and Bone Antiques, along the Sixth Street (aka Route 66) corridor of Amarillo, where Keitha Jones and Ash Marie show him vintage clothing. It's … Continue reading Vintage fashion shopping in Amarillo