Gray's Garage in Pontiac, Ill., a member of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, marked its 50th year in business on Friday, according to the Pontiac Daily Leader newspaper. Roger and Betty Gray opened the garage March 23, 1963, in a lot where Big R is now located, at the intersection of routes 66 … Continue reading Pontiac repair garage marks 50th year
Get your kicks over Route 66
Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Tuesday opened a pedestrian bridge over Sunset Boulevard, according to an article in the Beverly Hills Courier and a news release from the hospital. The $10 million bridge, funded by contributions from two couples, was built between Vermont and Hillhurst avenues. The Courier claims it will be "the only hospital … Continue reading Get your kicks over Route 66
Springfield museum exhibit will focus on Route 66, its patriarch
An exhibit dedicated to John Woodruff and the highway he helped guide to fruition, Route 66, will debut April 28 at History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Mo. According to a news release from the museum: The exhibit titled “Woodruff ’s Dream: The Mother Road through Springfield -- The Route 66 Exhibit” will be on display at the … Continue reading Springfield museum exhibit will focus on Route 66, its patriarch
Yukon’s Best Flour sign will be relighted by summer
The historic "Yukon's Best Flour" sign on top of a mill off Route 66 in Yukon, Okla., will be relighted by early summer due to the successful fundraising efforts of a local nonprofit group, according a recent print edition of the Yukon Review newspaper. The mill itself, which contains a gigantic painted sign on its … Continue reading Yukon’s Best Flour sign will be relighted by summer
Patti Page’s take on “Route 66”
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" you probably haven't heard -- by the recently departed Patti Page. https://youtu.be/WDEjLhDbchI The YouTube account, maynardcat, apparently is a vinyl record aficionado. He /she said about Page's recording: Route 66 by Patti Page from the 1955 Mercury Lp for radio broadcast only titled Blue Dream Street. This … Continue reading Patti Page’s take on “Route 66”
“Raze the Roof” event at Boots Motel canceled due to weather
The "Raze the Roof" volunteer event scheduled for this weekend at the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., has been canceled because of grim weather forecasts. Here's the email sent Thursday from the Boots: The owners of the historic Boots Motel, Debye Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw, regret to announce that the "Raze-the-Roof" project is cancelled … Continue reading “Raze the Roof” event at Boots Motel canceled due to weather
Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Loretta (Marten) Ludek, 74, who was instrumental in founding the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine along old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., died Tuesday at her home in Anderson, Ind., according to an obituary by Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home. The Our Lady site explains Loretta's role in getting the statue there: In June of 1958, … Continue reading Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Asleep At the Wheel and the Texas Playboys
This is quite a treat. Someone has posted the entire "Austin City Limits" show from 1992 that featured Asleep At the Wheel and four members of the Texas Playboys. It's western-swing heaven. https://youtu.be/hgOM7kJT9SY If you want to hear "Route 66," you can skip ahead to the 39-minute mark. And check out the Route 66 shield … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel and the Texas Playboys
Effort officially begins to restore Rancho Cucamonga station
Work to restore the historic Cucamonga Service Station on Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., officially started with a ceremony Wednesday, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. A sign company deeded the property to the Route 66 Inland Empire California nonprofit group a few months ago. The nonprofit was formed to save the structure and … Continue reading Effort officially begins to restore Rancho Cucamonga station
Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate to Beaumont and be renamed
Organizers of the Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate the classic-car event to Beaumont, Calif., after it was canceled because of severe financial problems by its longtime host city, San Bernardino. According to a short breaking-news article Wednesday afternoon by the Beaumont Record Gazette: Community Services Director Bob Sherwood said that the event organizers spoke at … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous may relocate to Beaumont and be renamed