The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., saw a 25 percent rise in the number of visitors from 2011 to 2012, according to a news release Monday from Pontiac Tourism. Pontiac Tourism director Ellie Alexander said almost 23,000 tourists signed the guestbook at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in the year that … Continue reading Tourism in Pontiac rises 25 percent in 2012
Memories of Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Patrick Rhea tells about the lengthy history of Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Ill. https://youtu.be/aXFVofQLp0Y The Chicken Basket's been in business for about 70 years, and remains prosperous.
California broadcaster Huell Howser dies
https://youtu.be/Je9gi6b0ZRI Huell Howser, an nontraditional, enthusiastic, and even folksy host who became a legend in California television, died Sunday at age 67 after a long illness, according to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets. Howser, a Tennessee native, hosted "California's Gold" and other programs that highlighted the characters and off-the-beaten-path locales of California. This description by … Continue reading California broadcaster Huell Howser dies
Cafe on the Route abruptly closes
Cafe on the Route, a Route 66 restaurant and bed-and-breakfast inn in Baxter Springs, Kan., that gained national fame for its appearance on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show, closed in recent days. The restaurant, in a former bank building built in 1870 at 1101 Military Ave. (Route 66), announced on Christmas Eve … Continue reading Cafe on the Route abruptly closes
Memories at Jubelt’s Bakery
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Jeanmarie Jubelt tells about the long and tangled history of Jubelt's bakery and restaurant in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/wtyC9jWWci8 Jubelt's has sat on Route 66 in Litchfield for more than 30 years. But its history dates to 1922 in nearby Mount Olive -- also a Route 66 town.
“CBS Sunday Morning” segment on New Mexico
Today on "CBS Sunday Morning," a short segment about the 101st anniversary of New Mexico's statehood mentioned the Mother Road quite prominently.
Final season of “Route 66” will be released separately on DVD
The Shout! Factory label announced it will release the fourth and final season of the 1960s "Route 66" television drama on DVD, with a street date of April 2. Co-star Glenn Corbett became Martin Milner's sidekick during that season, after co-star George Maharis left the show in the middle of Season Three because of a … Continue reading Final season of “Route 66” will be released separately on DVD
Memories of patrolling Route 66
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, former state trooper Chester Henry tells about his decades of patrolling the Mother Road near Pontiac, Ill. https://youtu.be/SmxJQs8wJA0 Henry was based out of Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66, which featured an Art Deco building that sort of looked like a upside-down pistol. The building is empty … Continue reading Memories of patrolling Route 66
Irv’s Burgers reportedly threatened again
The co-owner of the historic Irv's Burgers stand in West Hollywood, Calif., says she again is being pressured to move, reported the West Hollywood Patch. The website reported: Sonia Hong, owner of 62-year-old Irv's Burgers, said associates of her new commercial neighbors went to the sidewalk eatery in late December bearing warnings of a rent increase, … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers reportedly threatened again
Kingman’s Route 66 history
Norman Fisk of Diamond Valley Productions posted this promotional video about Kingman, Ariz. It focuses on the attractions of Route 66 in Kingman, plus a lot of the history and 19th-century pioneer trails that led to the Mother Road. https://youtu.be/jTQK6hPrCcQ