In recent days, Mark Rivera, a reporter for WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill., has posted on YouTube a few of his Route 66-related stories from central Illinois. They're all pretty good. The first is Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield: https://youtu.be/kLpM0m43tnw Next is the Palms Grill in Atlanta, Ill.: https://youtu.be/7gYG8BvP0w8 And finally is Funks Grove … Continue reading A TV reporter’s takes on Route 66
Chuck Surface, a Route 66 booster in Carthage and Webb City, dies
Chuck Surface, a former Missouri state lawmaker and an economic development director for Webb City, died Wednesday of cancer at age 68, according to the Joplin Globe. Surface was instrumental in converting a long-closed gas station on Route 66 in Webb City into a visitors center. He also sought to put a roadside park dedicated … Continue reading Chuck Surface, a Route 66 booster in Carthage and Webb City, dies
Relighting ceremony set for Crestwood Bowl sign
Work has begun in restoring the Crestwood Bowl neon sign along Route 66 in Crestwood, Mo., a southwest suburb of St. Louis. The official relighting ceremony for the sign will be Saturday, Oct. 20, at dusk. According to climate data, sunset on that date will be 6:14 p.m., although darkness could come earlier if it's … Continue reading Relighting ceremony set for Crestwood Bowl sign
A visit to the California Route 66 Museum
Here's a new video uploaded about the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. Sharon Foster gives a lot of information about the museum and the importance of Route 66 in the area and to America. https://youtu.be/yApMZjbbGtA
Northern Arizona University’s report on Route 66
A television program, "Inside NAU," by the Northern Arizona University Network takes a look at Route 66. The Mother Road goes through the university's backyard in Flagstaff. Among the people interviewed is Angel "The Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo and NAU archivist (and Route 66 News reader) Sean Evans. https://youtu.be/SDmHWTnN4YU Unlike history professor Michael Amundson, I don't … Continue reading Northern Arizona University’s report on Route 66
More about Route 66 Beer
About a week ago, a new ad for Route 66 Beer showed up on the Internet: https://youtu.be/qGJx5rFYl7E Another ad was posted earlier in the month, although details were sketchy about the product -- other than the company was based in London and the only place in the U.S. to buy the beer was New York City. … Continue reading More about Route 66 Beer
Illinois governor touts Route 66 as tourism destination for Brazilians
On Monday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn extolled his state, including its section of Route 66, as a tourism destination during a trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to a news release, Quinn said: “Illinois offers Brazilians an authentic American experience. Whether it is the world-class culture and scenic lakefront in Chicago, the history of … Continue reading Illinois governor touts Route 66 as tourism destination for Brazilians
Springfield festival sees bigger numbers
The just-completed International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in downtown Springfield, Ill., saw higher numbers in both attendance and classic-car entrants, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Kim Rosendahl, president of the festival, said there were about 1,100 cars on display compared to fewer than 1,000 last year. Estimates also had more people at this year’s show. … Continue reading Springfield festival sees bigger numbers
Bridge plan threatens three historic Oklahoma Route 66 bridges
A recently updated eight-year plan for bad bridges in Oklahoma targets three Route 66 bridges for replacement, including the famous Pony Bridge near Bridgeport. The initial news release about the bridge plan said spans would be replaced or rehabilitated. However, Kenna Mitchell, a member of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's Media and Public Relations Division, confirmed … Continue reading Bridge plan threatens three historic Oklahoma Route 66 bridges
Coney Island restaurant moves into Springfield’s Sonrise Donuts building
The historic Coney Island restaurant in Springfield, Ill., has reopened in the equally historic Sonrise Donuts building, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. Both restaurants boasted long tenures on Route 66. Emilio and Rosa Lomeli reopened The New Coney Island this month at Sonrise Donut at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66). It is … Continue reading Coney Island restaurant moves into Springfield’s Sonrise Donuts building