Interstate 15 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., this week received new signs -- in both directions -- that direct motorists to Foothill Boulevard, aka historic Route 66. According to the Daily Breeze in Torrance, Calif: "It's my intent to again let the people know that this is part of Route 66," said Edward Dietl, vice president of … Continue reading New Rancho freeway signs point to Route 66
New song from The Road Crew
The Road Crew, which has released an entire album of Route 66-related music and has performed at several Mother Road events, has recorded a new tune specially for the upcoming The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Mo. "The Middle of Everything" was written by singer Don King and band member Joe Loesch: During … Continue reading New song from The Road Crew
Historical truck group taking a caravan down Route 66
Here's something a little unusual. The American Truck Historical Society is organizing its first Historic Highway Convoy, with a trip down Route 66 in September. These are big semi trucks, not pickup trucks, at the event. The society has a photo gallery those antique trucks; a few of them might be seen there. Land Line, a … Continue reading Historical truck group taking a caravan down Route 66
Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism
The state of Illinois announced that tourism returned to pre-recession levels in 2011, with Route 66 helping drive that recovery, reported the Chicago Tribune. The state reported hosting more than 93.3 million visitors, up 10.2 percent from 2010 and surpassing the previous record of 91 million in 2006. The increase outpaced a national average gain … Continue reading Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism
Private prison operator is likely source of Santa Rosa’s tax rebate
Documents obtained by the Guadalupe County Communicator indicate a private prison operator is the likely source of the gross receipts tax rebate that has put the City of Santa Rosa, N.M., in a fiscal crisis. The GEO Group is the only local employer given a tax refund this year that's big enough to cover what … Continue reading Private prison operator is likely source of Santa Rosa’s tax rebate
Several Missouri Route 66 oral histories placed online
Missouri State University has placed online several interview transcripts and photos from the Route 66 Oral History Project, conducted by members of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Conducted in 2005-06, the interview subjects were: Robert Boots, whose parents owned the Boots Motel and Boots Drive-In in Carthage, Mo. Julia Chaney, wife of Red Chaney, … Continue reading Several Missouri Route 66 oral histories placed online
Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip
A free cookout and other activities are set for Ernie and Fran Edwards Route 66 International Appreciation Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Pig Hip restaurant site in Broadwell, Ill., according to a news release from Logan County Tourism. At 2 p.m., the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Committee will dedicate the … Continue reading Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip
Tales from the Dust Bowl
This Land Press, based in Tulsa, recently put together this audio story about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, combining clips from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program and narration by musician and historian Tom Naples. What's eerie about this program is that Oklahoma -- and much of the U.S. -- also is going through a … Continue reading Tales from the Dust Bowl
A different kind of time-lapse trip
Shaun Callahan recently took a trip from Baltimore to Santa Monica, Calif., much of it on Route 66. This clip shows the trip in a time-lapse mode, but with a twist -- he periodically superimposes images of landmarks from the Mother Road. Route 66 in 6 Minutes and 66 Seconds from Shaun Callahan on Vimeo.
De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful
A developer who is seeking to revitalize the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque has delayed his scheduled groundbreaking until at least August until a financing snag can be worked out, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly. Developer Rob Dickson says the chances of a groundbreaking next month are 50/50. The newspaper said: The … Continue reading De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful