A pack of lawmakers is seeking an $800,000 grant from the state of New Mexico for a Route 66 visitors center on the east end of Albuquerque. A couple of sharp-eyed readers saw the line item in the long list of capital-outlays requests by the New Mexico Legislature. You can see the listing on the … Continue reading $800,000 grant sought for Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque
Illinois Tourism creates new Route 66 videos
DiscoverIllinois.org (aka the Illinois Office of Tourism) recently uploaded well-produced videos about Route 66 in the Land of Lincoln. Here's the introduction: https://youtu.be/4WaQ6LoaYBM And here's a five-minute tour of the Mother Road in Illinois, courtesy of expert John Weiss: https://youtu.be/4dTkCcQC0gQ And several tourists are asked about Route 66's appeal: https://youtu.be/9ZHBKceCFoM
Albuquerque mayor wants input on revitalizing Route 66
It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out later today: The most interesting part of KOB-TV's report on the mayor wanting to revitalize Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque is this: Whatever the perfect formula is, Mayor Berry says he wants to find it and make Albuquerque's star along Route 66 … Continue reading Albuquerque mayor wants input on revitalizing Route 66
Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
A small section of Sunset Boulevard (aka Route 66) in the Echo Park neighborhood in Los Angeles is lined with sandstone bluffs. That "cut" dates to an 1887 railroad line to an ostrich farm. No kidding. This video explains: https://youtu.be/szlrNfuRVb0 If you'd like to explore it yourself, here's a Google Map of the location. The … Continue reading Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
Mitchell Caverns vandalized after state closes it
Mitchell Caverns, part of the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area in Southern California's Mojave Desert, was extensively vandalized after it was closed last spring due to state budget cuts, reported the Los Angeles Times. The Times reported: Intruders cut fences, kicked doors off of hinges and shattered windows and display cases. They stole metal signs and … Continue reading Mitchell Caverns vandalized after state closes it
“Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 7
Here’s the seventh episode of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which chronicles the singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. This installment takes him from Amarillo to Gallup, N.M. It looks like a side trip to Monument Valley is coming up on the next episode. https://vimeo.com/37240819
Route 66 photo exhibit soon will open in Pasadena
Photographer Rick Yenofsky of Arcadia, Calif., will display images of the Mother Road in Southern California with "Getting There - Old Places on Route 66, Planes, Trains, Ships & Automobiles: Modern and Historic" at Colonnade Art Gallery and Studio in Pasadena. The exhibit starts March 3. The Pasadena Star-News reports: Yenofsky traveled from downtown Los Angeles through … Continue reading Route 66 photo exhibit soon will open in Pasadena
Round Barn marks 20th year of restoration in April
The historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Okla., will mark the 20th anniversary of its restoration on April 14 with a celebration, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. Apparently details is still being worked out. But live music is certain, as the second floor of the barn has hosted dances for decades. The barn's first owner, William Odor, … Continue reading Round Barn marks 20th year of restoration in April
A rare treat
Rich Dinkela, fresh off his prize money of free gasoline for a year from Phillips 66, found a way to get to the long-abandoned Painted Desert Trading Post, on an old and forlorn stretch of Route 66 in eastern Arizona. https://youtu.be/FfyLiT1KrGQ This old section of the Mother Road has been rendered inaccessible by a gate … Continue reading A rare treat
Old Tulsa service station may become a coffee shop
The George Tune auto shop complex at 2446 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) in Tulsa, which includes a 1928 cottage-style service station building, was recently purchased by a Tulsa physician who plans to convert it into a coffee shop. The new owner is Dr. Morad El-Raheb, a general-practice physician who was born in Egypt … Continue reading Old Tulsa service station may become a coffee shop