The historic Burger Hut restaurant along Route 66 in Needles, Calif., reopened in early April after being closed for about three months, reported the Needles Desert Star newspaper. Ana Johnson, Brandon Wenning, and Sigfredo Jovel are running the drive-up eatery. One goal is to restore the original menu. Wenning said Johnson is going back to … Continue reading Burger Hut in Needles reopens after hiatus
The story behind Giganticus Headicus
Those who have driven old Route 66 north of Kingman, Ariz., have spotted by the roadside a large green statue that resembles a cross between a tiki god and one of Easter Island's monoliths. The 14-foot-tall statue is called Giganticus Headicus, and it's the brainchild of Gregg Arnold at the old Kozy Korner trailer park … Continue reading The story behind Giganticus Headicus
Boots Motel returns to its original roof
Here it is -- the art deco-inspired Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., with its original flat roof for the first time in more than three decades. The Route 66 landmark came with a flat roof when built in 1939. However, the owners erected a gabled roof over it about 1978. When sisters Debye Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw bought … Continue reading Boots Motel returns to its original roof
Fire destroys former reputed brothel used by Al Capone
A brush fire destroyed two homes Saturday in the Route 66 town of Godley, Ill., including one structure that reputedly was a brothel used by notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone, reported the Joliet Herald News. Kalvin Noonan, who owned the homes, said the fires started when township workers burned debris nearby. Noonan said the property … Continue reading Fire destroys former reputed brothel used by Al Capone
De Anza project may be in jeopardy
The main developer of the historic De Anza Motor Lodge along Route 66 in Albuquerque says the revitalization project may be scuttled if historic tax credits aren't approved soon by the federal government, reported Albuquerque Business First. The newspaper said: Developer Rob Dickson said the approval of historic tax credits, which represent almost 15 percent of the project’s … Continue reading De Anza project may be in jeopardy
Grand jury will review sex-abuse charges against Cadillac Ranch patriarch
A county grand jury next week will hear the 11 sex-related charges against Amarillo millionaire Stanley Marsh 3, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Marsh is best-known as patriarch of the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66 near Amarillo. Lubbock County District Attorney Matt Powell said Friday he plans to take six counts of sexual assault … Continue reading Grand jury will review sex-abuse charges against Cadillac Ranch patriarch
Nonprofit group seeks to restore Whiting Brothers signs
A nonprofit group that's trying to spur Route 66 tourism in the Albuquerque region is raising funds to restore signs at a Whiting Brothers gas station in Moriarty, N.M. -- the only one still operating. According to a report in the Mountain View Telegraph, a member of RETRO-Relive the Route asked for money from the … Continue reading Nonprofit group seeks to restore Whiting Brothers signs
Disabled boy’s wishes are granted on Route 66
The Joplin Globe yesterday published a touching story about sixth-grader Andy Shepherd getting a big dose of Mother Road hospitality as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Andy has suffered from cerebral palsy since infancy. Despite a grim prognosis and numerous surgeries, he's continued to develop cognitively more than anticipated. Andy wanted to meet the real-life inspiration … Continue reading Disabled boy’s wishes are granted on Route 66
A ghost on the borderlands
Nick Gerlich, who's been exploring old alignments of Route 66 in Texas and New Mexico, produced a new video about the ghost town of Glenrio, on the Texas and New Mexico border. Glenrio, due to its direct access off Interstate 40 via Exit 0, isn't as obscure as Gerlich's other recent explorations. But that doesn't … Continue reading A ghost on the borderlands
66 The Mother Road online magazine goes on indefinite hiatus
The November/December issue of 66 The Mother Road magazine apparently remains the last for quite a while. The bimonthly online magazine, started by John and Judy Springs in April 2011, has halted publication. A reader of Route 66 News noticed a new issue hadn't been published since Christmastime. He also noted the 66theMotherRoad.com website had … Continue reading 66 The Mother Road online magazine goes on indefinite hiatus