San Jose State professor and long-avowed roadie Andrew Wood recently completed a Route 66 trip, and posted this video of the neon sign at night at the Donut Drive-In in St. Louis. https://youtu.be/n8EXC89BIzA The Donut Drive-In's sign was restored in 2008 with the help of a grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. And … Continue reading Nighttime at the Donut Drive-In
Bel-Aire Motel’s owner faces $141,000 in fines
The owner of the Bel-Aire Motel, located along old Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., has been slapped with $141,000 in fines for more than 400 building code violations, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The city inspected nearly the entire 80-room hotel over three days this year — Jan. 9, Feb. 3 and March 1, said … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel’s owner faces $141,000 in fines
Billboard near Round Barn will be removed
The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society announced Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the City of Arcadia, Okla., and land owner Fred Mazaheri to remove a tall billboard just east of the historic Round Barn on Route 66, reported the Edmond Daily Sun. According to the newspaper: “We are sure thankful to Mr. Mazaheri … Continue reading Billboard near Round Barn will be removed
Longtime Pig Hip restaurant owner dies
Ernie Edwards, longtime owner of the Pig Hip restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Ill., died in his sleep Wednesday night at age 94, according to a news release from the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County. Edwards died at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln, Ill. He had recently been moved from his Broadwell … Continue reading Longtime Pig Hip restaurant owner dies
A walk through the Bottle Tree woods
Here's a new video about Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch, located off Route 66 near Oro Grande, Calif. https://youtu.be/ZDwXs4BJoc8 I wouldn't be surprised if the site is eventually declared a national landmark or something like that. I would hope so, anyway.
Hello from Iceland
More proof that the Route 66 influence ranges far -- the opening of a 66 Grill in Iceland. https://vimeo.com/40147446 The Icelandic description of the restaurant, via Google Translate: Grill 66 is a new barbecue place for the whole family. The brand refers directly to the labeling of the legendary "Route 66". Diverse restaurant offering hamburgers, steak sandwiches and other foods that are all named after cities and towns of the "Route 66".
Kickstarter campaign launched for “The Motels of Route 66” film
Simon Cantlon, who we previously reported was creating a documentary film and book called "The Motels of Route 66," has just launched a fundraiser on Kickstarter to cover the some of the expenses of the project. The money raised will cover a month-long journey down Route 66 with a full four-man film crew (director, cameraman, … Continue reading Kickstarter campaign launched for “The Motels of Route 66” film
Japanese woman traveling Route 66 solo
Suzi Leavens, a 69-year-old native of Japan, is traveling Route 66 by herself from Santa Monica to Chicago to realize a dream by her late husband, according to an email from Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press reporter Tomoya Shimura. According to Tomoya, Leavens has already stayed at the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., and the Ludlow Motel in … Continue reading Japanese woman traveling Route 66 solo
A visit to John’s Modern Cabins
Here's something shot just a few days ago -- a visit to the ruins of the long-closed John's Modern Cabins, off old Route 66 in rural Newburg, Mo. As a bonus, the videographer also visited the long-defunct Stoney Dell Resort, near Jerome, Mo. https://youtu.be/Yz0fN0dQymc
A peek inside the former Snuffy’s Grill
Last fall, we reported that the small, Chicagoland-based Steak N Egger restaurant group had purchased Snuffy's 24-Hour Grill along Route 66 in McCook, Ill. Steak N Egger owner Terry Carr said the exterior, constructed in 1929 with limestone cut from nearby quarries, would remain visible, and that the interior would contain 1950s decor. On Monday night, … Continue reading A peek inside the former Snuffy’s Grill